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Return to Article: The Long Haul: Part Two

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  Long term care insurance is important. But, not just for people who are approaching retirement. Things can happen at any age as the article sort of points out.

  This article makes it clear that catastrophic insurance is important because of unforeseeable accidents and illness. But, like previous articles, it completely skirts around Federal Employees Workers' Compensation. It is also a catastrophic insurance. It is insurance for unforeseeable accidents or illnesses that are work related. It is as important, if not more so, than long term care insurance. Work is where federal employees are most likely to suffer a catastrophic injury before they reach retirement age. How do they care for themselves and their families if a career ending injury happens?

  I want to see it addressed in these articles. I want it stated in writing that the author considers federal employees workers' compensation to be as reliable as health care insurance or long term care insurance. If the author can't state that in good conscience, than what are the options for federal employees to protect themselves and their families?

  Robert M Posted August 4, 2006 8:41 PM
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  I just wanted to express my sincere thanks to Tammy Flanagan for not only this article, but for every article she has written and that I have seen in the recent past! As retirement approaches for a lot of us, I know I don't stand alone in recognizing the wealth of information she has provided. I especially appreciate her sharing of personal information in order to help us make important decisions of our own. Keep up the great work, Tammy! You are priceless and I wanted you to know that your work does not go unnoticed and how very much appreciated you are by many!

  Carole Marks Posted August 4, 2006 9:52 AM
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  Long-term care insurance is necessary because of the breakdown of the family and the care provided elders by younger family members. You seem to ignore this in your comments other than some of us might rely on family and friends.

  My parents and my wife's parents stayed in our house and were lovingly cared for -- one for three months and another for five years. We had several changes to our life style but overall gained from the experience tremendously. Don't think it's a party because it was a lot of work. You have to take care of them and you have to make some investments in equipment to make the job easier.

  My kids have been told over and over that as we get too old we are going to live in their houses -- usually the basement. That is why we are so interested in them having well designed finished basements! Now the kids even talk about when we come to live with them and how they need to design renovations to accommodate our move in. I think I will forego long-term care insurance and give money to the kids to design for the day I move in.

  If you do not have a family that is local or you do not want to move in with them, you better buy long-term care insurance!

  I was there Posted August 4, 2006 7:59 AM