No reason to have a discussion on this topic.
It is just clear cut which is why everyone just gave you your answer sheet. We are sorry that you can't figure out the obvious answer.
Who is a better hockey player: Mario Lemieux or Pascal Dupuis? Mario Lemieux
Is the sky blue or green? Blue
Which is the preferable policy? Mass Mutual Signature Care or John Hancock Performance LTC? Mass Mutual.
First off Mass Mutual is the better contract. JH requires home care to be provided by and through home care agencies; MM allows home care to be provided by caregivers independent of agencies. Secondly, John Hancock charges women a 50% surcharge; Mass Mutual still has unisex pricing so if there is a female applicant involved it is inevitable the price of Mass Mutual is much better however John Hancock wants to now package its policy with graded premiums. Mass Mutual has never once requested a rate increase in LTC. And yes, past performance is an indicator of future success especially when you factor in how difficult an underwriter Mass Mutual is. MM does not underwrite a lot of risks that other companies have underwritten. MM has not issued coverage to large employer groups on a simplified basis as other underwriters have done. MM is a Preferred risk underwriter. JH has requested rate increases more often than my kids ask me for ice cream. Mass Mutual has never requested one.
Mass Mutual is a level premium. JH is an increasing premium policy. JH had level premium designs and was never going to write any business so its marketing department introduced a policy with increasing premiums. Agents on this forum have told you it is smoke and mirrors. Teaser rate, etc. No one here has anything to gain by telling you like it is. You will pay thousands and thousands more premium over time with JH.
Why you met with 2 different captive agents is beyond me? But thankfully you met with a captive Mass Mutual agent (and not Northwestern Mutual) The Mass Mutual policy is the best policy you can buy today. (A good back-up policy might be Mutual of Omaha).
Good luck to you.
(By the way, never buy Shared rider with Mass. Buy individual 6 year benefit periods each. Always include dual waiver of premium option)
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Well, Bill, here is the other problem for consumers. WAY too many yoyos tell consumers "I'm independent, I'm a specialist." Yet they really are only writing a few companies: usual suspects like Genworth, John Hancock, MedAmerica, and Mutual of Omaha.
3 days ago I got a call from a consumer who had spoken with an agent. The agent stated he was independent and "could write any policy." Well, the agent was steering him to Mutual of Omaha which was $100 less expensive annually than Mass Mutual. When the client asked about rate increases the agent simply implied all companies have raised rates. He never mentioned that Mass Mutual has never raised rates. Why not? The agent does not have a Mass Mutual contract. Well, the client dug deeper and now he knows the facts after doing more research and finding my site. For this client he would gladly pay $100 more per year to be with a company like a Mass Mutual. But the first agent he spoke with kept him in the dark. So, it is hard Bill for a consumer to find a really independent adviser who will properly advise first without any worry about whether business is ultimately obtained.
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