Long-Term Care Cost Calculator

Your details

Choose the most likely care setting. You can switch to compare costs.
Regional costs vary widely. Choose the region where you expect to receive care.
Your age today. Used to calculate how long your savings have to grow.
years
The average American needs long-term care around age 80. Adjust to your own estimate.
years
The average LTC need lasts about 3 years. Women average 3.7 years, men 2.2 years.
years
Long-term care costs have historically grown 3-5% per year, faster than general inflation.
%/yr
Funds already set aside specifically for long-term care. Enter 0 if starting fresh.
USD
How much you plan to add to your LTC fund each month between now and care start.
USD/mo
Expected annual return on your LTC savings. A conservative 5-7% is typical for a balanced portfolio.
%/yr
Currency
Projected monthly cost at care startFully funded
$11,797

Today's cost inflated at the selected rate to the care-start age

Today's monthly cost$4,992
Total projected care cost$424,682
Projected LTC fund$569,745
Coverage gap-$145,063
Fund coverage1.3%
Extra monthly savings needed$0
1.3% of costs covered
Large gap<0.5Partial cover0.5-0.75Mostly covered0.75-1Fully funded1+
LTC fund$569,745
Total care cost$424,682

Your projected fund is on track to fully cover care costs by age 80.

  • Your projected care fund of $569,745 covers 134% of the estimated $424,682 total cost.
  • Your fund exceeds the projected cost - you have a surplus of $145,063. Consider whether you want to self-insure or reduce contributions.
  • At care-start, the projected monthly cost will be $11,797 in future dollars. Planning for at least 3 years is a reasonable baseline.
  • With 25 years until care starts, compound growth is your biggest ally. Even modest monthly contributions grow substantially over this window.

Next stepConsider speaking with a fee-only financial planner about LTC insurance, hybrid life/LTC policies, or a dedicated savings account strategy - costs and eligibility change significantly with age.

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