When it comes to long-term care, the math is brutal. Yet only 3% of Americans over the age of 50 hold private LTC insurance, estimates LIMRA, an insurance trade association and research group. In a couple where both are aged 55, the average annual premium for a long-term care policy is about $2,080, according to the National Council on Aging. Illustrate the premium differential between purchasing long-term care insurance now versus later. When a health care crisis strikes, wealth is often depleted, financial plans crumble, families are disrupted and control is lost.