Consumer Research Confirms Lower Price Option Increases Interest in Long-Term Care Insurance

BOSTON, Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- New John Hancock research indicates that lower price options increase purchase interest in long-term care (LTC) insurance among 45-65 year olds, especially at younger ages.

Overall, among individuals at all ages, interest in buying a lower cost policy vs. a traditional policy grew from 14 to 30 percent. For the group aged 45-51, the interest tripled from 11 percent to 36 percent. The pricing study, conducted for John Hancock by The Forbes Consulting Group looked at the purchase interest in LTC insurance of 300 individuals, aged 45-65, who had a household income greater than $70,000 and investable assets of more than $100,000.

Except for the benefit increase option and corresponding price, the policies compared were the same, offering a three-year benefit totaling $164,000, and a 90-day elimination period. They were not identified as John Hancock policies, but the "traditional" policy reflected John Hancock's CPI inflation option which grows on a compounded basis according to increases in the Consumer Price Index and the "lower cost option," reflected a new option offered by John Hancock which grows gradually over time based on the performance of the general account that funds the policy.

For each example, respondents were given John Hancock's actual annual premium costs based on their current age. They were then shown illustrations of how potential benefit increases could differ between the two policies and how the respective increases related to the anticipated increase in the cost of care.

"This study confirmed our belief that interest in LTC insurance would rise quite significantly, particularly among younger buyers, when less expensive alternatives are offered and explained. Perhaps this has been intuitively understood, but now there is data to prove that lowering the cost of LTC insurance is critical to making this coverage more accessible to a broader population. ," said Laura Vail Wooster, vice president of Marketing, John Hancock Long-Term Care Insurance. "Traditional LTC insurance options have become more expensive over the years, so the industry must keep pursuing innovative solutions to help more Americans prepare for and cover at least some of this cost."

More than seven out of ten (71%) agreed that they are personally responsible for preparing for any LTC services they may need. When asked more generally which philosophy for purchasing LTC insurance was the best fit:

• 64% said basic coverage at an intermediate price – I would pay some portion of LTC costs out of pocket
• 22% responded full coverage at the highest cost – I wouldn't have to pay any LTC out of pocket
• 14% said catastrophic coverage at the lowest cost – I would pay a significant amount of the initial cost of LTC out of pocket and would be covered for some amount after that

Methodology

The survey of 300 consumers aged 45 – 65 was conducted online in late 2012 for John Hancock Long-Term Care by Forbes Consulting Group. Respondents had household income of more than $70,000 and savings/investments of more than $100,000. They were at least somewhat familiar with LTC insurance and did not currently own an LTC insurance policy.

About Forbes Consulting Group

Founded in 1985 and based in Lexington, Massachusetts, the Forbes Consulting Group is a strategic and innovative market research company providing clients with deeper levels of insight about emotions and motivations - and helping them gain strategic market advantage on the strength of this insight. In its 26-year history, Forbes Consulting Group has become a valued resource for Fortune 500 companies.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial

John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife Financial, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Assets under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$515 billion (US$523 billion) as at September 30, 2012. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

Long-term care insurance is underwritten by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Boston, MA 02117 (not licensed in New York) and in New York by John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company, Boston, MA 02117.

SOURCE John Hancock Long-Term Care