Effective February 1, 2026, Unum will discontinue accepting new enrollments into its Group Long Term Care (GLTC) policies. Existing insureds will remain unaffected. Because LTC policies are based on issue-age coverage, most employees benefit form staying with their current plan, and the vast majority are expected to do so.
While Unum steps back, the broader LTC market is moving forward with innovative plan designs that offer more predictable value. Hybrid-style policies pay benefits for LTC and a death benefit, ensuring employees receive a tangible benefit whether or not they ever need care. Guarantee Issue—available only through group employer plans—continues to be a key advantage, allowing more employees to qualify for coverage. Meaningful and affordable programs reflect a better way to transfer LTC risk to insurance rather than relying on self-funding.
Long-term care insurance is undergoing a major transformation. Rising care costs are putting increasing pressure on employees’ retirement savings—especially their 401(k)s—at the same time the LTC market is shifting, with legacy plans sunsetting and new, more flexible options emerging. Growing awareness of long‑term care planning, combined with ongoing industry change, has prompted employers to rethink how LTC benefits align with their broader financial wellness initiatives. Unum’s recent announcement reflects this larger movement.
For employers with a Unum LTC plan, Western Healthcare Insurance Trust (WHIT) offers group LTC programs through industry consultant, LTC Solutions, Inc. Finding the right product is only the first step; the second is effective communication through an LTC platform capable of hosting multiple products. This ensures all employees receive the same level of services and support regardless of which LTC product they choose.
Unum’s announcement marks not a decline but a strategic shift toward a more modern, flexible, and sustainable long‑term care marketplace. As new carriers introduce innovative plan designs and more predictable benefits, employees can look forward to stronger protection and clearer value. Employers who stay ahead of this transition will be best positioned to safeguard their workforce’s financial well‑being, reduce future caregiving burdens, and help employees protect the retirement savings they’ve worked so hard to build.
With thoughtful planning, improved technology, and the right partnerships, this new era of LTC isn’t just a change, it’s an opportunity to strengthen benefits and support long‑term financial wellness.
Western Healthcare Insurance Trust (WHIT) is a Washington Hospital Services Preferred Partner. Preferred Partners provide our member hospitals with hospital member vetted products and services to help improve operational efficiencies, reduce costs, and deliver high-quality care. Each of our Partners go through a comprehensive evaluation process to ensure they meet and maintain high standards of quality and service.
For more information about Western Healthcare Insurance Trust (WHIT) or the WHS Preferred Partners Program, contact Ed Phippen, [email protected], (206) 216-2556. (Ed Phippen)