The Hidden Retirement Risk NC Teachers Can’t Afford to Ignore
Why Planning for Extended Care Is Just as Important as Your Pension

For many North Carolina teachers, retirement is a long-awaited milestone. After years in the classroom, you're finally ready to enjoy your pension, travel, volunteer, or spend more time with family.

But there's one major piece most educators forget to plan for:

👉 Extended Care.
That’s right — home health aides, assisted living, or skilled nursing care. It’s not fun to think about, but here’s the truth:

📊 70% of people turning 65 today will need some form of long-term care.
(Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

And yet, most teachers haven’t budgeted for it — emotionally or financially.

Why This Matters for North Carolina Educators

As a teacher, you’ve been diligent about your retirement benefits — your NC pension, your 403(b), and perhaps even your 457(b). But those don’t automatically cover long-term care needs.

Let’s say you or your spouse has a stroke, a fall, or cognitive decline a few years into retirement.

What then?

Without a care plan, families are left scrambling — and your retirement savings could evaporate quickly. Just ask Ms. Daniels, a retired teacher who faced this very situation within six months of retiring. Instead of travel, her days became a blur of caregiving and financial strain.

The 3 Levels of Extended Care You Should Understand

Not all care is the same — and neither is the cost. Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Home Care
   
   

   • Most preferred, but costly
     
     

   • Even part-time help (6 hrs/day) can exceed $4,500/month
     
     

2. Assisted Living
   
   

   • Great middle-ground option
     
     

   • Not covered by Medicare
     
     

3. Skilled Nursing Facilities
   
   

   • For serious medical care
     
     

   • Some Medicare coverage only after hospitalization, but often a huge out-of-pocket burden
     
     

Planning for these options ahead of time helps you avoid crisis-mode decisions and unnecessary expenses.

How to Take Action: The Extended Care Action File

To reduce stress, confusion, and costly mistakes, every teacher nearing retirement should build what we call an Extended Care Action File. This includes:

• ✅ Medical power of attorney documents
  
  

• ✅ A short “Care Preferences” letter
  
  

• ✅ Copies of long-term care insurance or benefits
  
  

• ✅ A contact list of family or support people
  
  

Families who plan early spend 26% less on care (according to Genworth) — not because they need less, but because they avoid last-minute decisions.

🎥 Watch the Replay: Extended Care Planning for NC Teachers

If you missed our Retirement Ready episode on this topic, don’t worry — you can watch the full session on demand.

🎬 Click here to watch the replay now »
You’ll walk away with a practical understanding of your options and a roadmap to protect your retirement from unexpected care needs.

Final Thoughts

As a North Carolina teacher, you've given so much to others. Now it’s time to give yourself — and your family — the gift of peace of mind.

Planning for extended care doesn’t have to be scary or complicated. It starts with awareness, and a few smart steps you can take today.

Need help customizing your plan?
👉 Book a complimentary 15-minute consultation with us here and let’s walk through your unique situation together.