Industry Update: Nationwide Enhances CareMatters II

Nationwide has announced several enhancements to CareMatters II, providing new options and policy features designed to offer greater client value and more flexibility when planning for long-term care needs.

Effective September 14, 2026, Nationwide introduced these changes as part of an effort to provide greater consistency across its CareMatters product suite. For agents working with clients who are considering long-term care protection, these updates are worth reviewing as they may provide additional ways to structure coverage based on a client's needs and financial situation.

New 20-Year Premium Duration Option

One of the new options available with CareMatters II is a 20-year premium duration. This gives clients another way to spread premium payments over a longer period rather than choosing from the previously available payment structures.

For agents, having additional premium duration options can be helpful when discussing how long-term care coverage may fit into a client's overall financial plan.

New 8-Year Maximum Benefit Period

Nationwide is also adding an 8-year maximum benefit period option to CareMatters II.

The benefit period is an important part of a long-term care conversation because it determines how long benefits can potentially be paid when a qualifying long-term care need occurs. The new 8-year option gives agents another coverage structure to consider when helping clients evaluate their potential long-term care exposure.

New 3% Compound Inflation Protection Option

Another enhancement is the addition of a 3% compound inflation protection option for 20 years.

Inflation protection can be an important consideration when planning for future long-term care expenses. With this option, agents have another way to address the potential impact of increasing care costs over time while structuring a client's coverage.

Premium Waiver While LTC Benefits Are Being Paid

Nationwide is also introducing a waiver of the full premium while LTC benefits are being paid for policies with a recurring payment option that were issued on or after January 1, 2026.

This change may be an important feature to highlight when reviewing how a client's financial responsibilities could change once they begin receiving long-term care benefits.

Pricing Discount for Combined Premium Options

The enhancements also include a pricing discount when a lump-sum premium is combined with a recurring premium option.

This provides another potential way to structure a CareMatters II policy for clients who have assets available for a lump-sum contribution but may also prefer to use recurring premiums as part of their overall funding strategy.

Some Existing Options Are Being Removed

Along with the new features, Nationwide is removing several existing options. Effective September 14, the following options are being removed in all states except New York and California:

• Step-Up ROP option

• Pay to 65 option

• 3% simple inflation protection option

Because product availability and requirements can vary by state, agents should review Nationwide's transition rules and current product materials when working on new or pending business.

What Agents Should Know

These changes are a good reminder that long-term care products continue to evolve, giving agents new ways to approach conversations around future care needs, benefit duration, premium planning and inflation protection.

For agents who primarily focus on life insurance, CareMatters II can also be an opportunity to broaden the conversation beyond traditional life insurance protection and help clients consider how they would address the potential financial impact of long-term care.