Securian SecureCare III Hybrid Life + Long-Term Care — Honest Review (2026)

Last updated: June 8, 2026

If you've been quoted Securian SecureCare III, you're looking at the budget-friendly entry point into hybrid life + LTC insurance. Securian (Minnesota Life) is one of the more conservative carriers in the space, and SecureCare III's pricing makes it accessible to buyers who'd find Nationwide CareMatters II or Lincoln MoneyGuard III out of reach.

This honest review covers what SecureCare III does well, its reimbursement-only structure (vs. Nationwide's cash indemnity), and where it fits in the hybrid LTC market.

The single biggest reason to own this: tax-free LTC at lower premium

Like all hybrid LTC products, SecureCare III provides tax-free LTC benefits under IRC §7702B + PPA 2006 §844. Where Securian wins on price-point: premium is typically 10-20% lower than Nationwide CareMatters II for the same benefit duration and inflation rider. That's the trade-off for reimbursement-only (no cash indemnity) and Securian's lower brand recognition.

Reimbursement vs. cash indemnity (the structural difference)

For buyers who: plan to use licensed/agency care (home health, assisted living, skilled nursing) — reimbursement works fine. For buyers who: want to use informal/family care — cash indemnity wins.

Goldstein Scorecard

🎯 Best for: the 55-75 buyer with $35K-100K to commit, wanting A+ carrier + tax-free LTC at the lowest premium, who's comfortable with reimbursement model (plans to use licensed care).

⚠️ Look elsewhere if: you want cash flexibility for family caregivers → Nationwide CareMatters II, you want lifetime LTC → OneAmerica Asset Care, or you want 0-day elimination → Lincoln MoneyGuard III.

⏸ Pause — get a second opinion before you sign

Talk to a licensed independent expert. Hans.

Hybrid LTC is a permanent decision committing six figures. Before you sign, is the benefit duration right for your risk tolerance? Is there a §1035 exchange play from an old policy? Get a second opinion before you commit a six-figure premium.

Drop your info — within 24 hours, you'll get a written independent review of your quote + side-by-side comparisons vs. 2 alternatives.

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The §1035 exchange play

Same universal play applies. §1035 tax-free exchange from underperforming life insurance or non-qualified annuities → SecureCare III for typical 2-3× LTC benefit pool leverage, tax-free.

Strengths

• A+ Securian — conservative mutual carrier
• Tax-free LTC under §7702B / PPA 2006
• Lower premium than Nationwide CareMatters II or Lincoln MoneyGuard III
• Multiple funding options
• 3% or 5% compound inflation
• Joint life available
• §1035 exchange compatible

Weaknesses

• Reimbursement only — no cash indemnity option
• LTC benefit is CAPPED at 7 years max — unlike OneAmerica Asset Care
• 90-day elimination — vs. Lincoln MoneyGuard's 0-day
• Brand recognition lower than Lincoln/Nationwide — may matter for brand-comfort buyers
• Documentation burden for reimbursement claims is real and ongoing
• Joint life pricing less elegant than Nationwide CareMatters II

🧮 Goldstein Complexity Index

A core part of every Goldstein review. The more complex an annuity, the worse the rating in this dimension — because complexity is where buyers get burned (confusing riders, fee structures hidden in plain sight, surrender penalties that surprise people, separate "benefit bases" they thought were cash). Simple products (SPIAs, MYGAs) score low; products with stacked bonuses + income riders + MVA + multiple crediting strategies score high.

This product's score: 22/100 — Grade A (Mostly clear)

One or two complications (a rider, a crediting choice). With a 30-min agent walkthrough, most buyers understand it.

Score breakdown

How to read this

• A+/A (0–40): You can understand what you bought. Pure accumulation FIA, MYGA, or SPIA. Low risk of mis-selling.
• B (41–60): You need to read the contract carefully and have a second-opinion review before signing. Income riders add the most confusion.
• C (61–80): Many buyers don't fully understand what they own. Common mis-selling: "bonus" sold as cash, "benefit base" sold as account value, surrender charges undisclosed.
• D (81–100): Demands an independent producer second opinion before signing. The product may still be right for you — but the chance you'll later say "I didn't know it worked that way" is very high.

Why complexity matters more than people think: Carriers don't get sued for complexity. Agents don't get sued for it either (in most states). But buyers regret it constantly. The annuity that wins your money in year one and confuses you for the next 14 is worse than a simpler product that you understood perfectly. Simple ≠ inferior. Simple = audit-able.

Real complaints + truth

Complaint 1 — "Reimbursement claim documentation was burdensome"

Truth: Reimbursement-model LTC requires ongoing receipts and submissions for each care service. Family caregivers without licensed credentials can't typically be paid. Verdict: structural feature of reimbursement model, not Securian-specific.

Complaint 2 — "Premium increases on flexible-pay options"

Truth: Flexible-pay (lifetime pay) variants can have premium increases over time. Single-pay and 10-pay variants lock in premium. Verdict: avoidable with proper funding option selection.

Complaint 3 — "I wanted to use my daughter as caregiver but couldn't"

Truth: Reimbursement model doesn't pay informal family caregivers. If family caregiving was planned, Nationwide CareMatters II (cash indemnity) would have been right. Verdict: product/buyer mismatch at purchase.

What the brochure doesn't tell you

• Reimbursement requires LICENSED care providers — family members typically don't qualify
• Premium savings vs. Nationwide CareMatters II are real but come with reimbursement burden
• Securian's brand is strong in advisor channels but less household-name than Lincoln/Nationwide
• Joint life pricing varies meaningfully by age band — get exact quote
• §1035 exchange in is allowed but Securian's underwriting may be selective
• The 6-year cap is the practical limit — longer periods cost meaningfully more

Real-world stories: who fits, who got burned

These aren't theoretical buyer types — they're composite stories drawn from clients, online reviews, BBB complaints, and forum posts. Names are real first names, locations approximate; details preserved.

👍 Good fit — Mark, 60, Los Angeles CA

Mark had a $70K budget and wanted hybrid LTC for his retirement protection. Nationwide CareMatters II was out of reach for his benefit goal at his budget. Securian SecureCare III's 15% lower premium let him buy a 6-year benefit + 3% inflation that he couldn't afford with Nationwide. He plans to use licensed care (his family lives far away) so reimbursement model works fine. Three years in, he's happy with the choice.

😡 Burned — Patricia, 73, Sarasota FL

Patricia bought Securian SecureCare III planning to use her daughter as primary caregiver. Reimbursement model doesn't pay informal family caregivers — so when she needed care, her daughter still had to give up her job, AND the policy didn't pay for the family-provided care. Wrong product for her caregiving plan. Should have been Nationwide CareMatters II (cash indemnity). Product is fine; planning was the failure.

The pattern: Securian SecureCare III is a good product for the right buyer (typically a 55-67 buyer with a long horizon, no near-term liquidity needs, and realistic expectations) and a disaster for the wrong buyer (typically an older buyer (73+) with surrender-horizon mismatch or near-term liquidity needs). The product isn't the problem — buyer/product mismatch is.

⏳ Renewal rate risk — why FIA caps work like HYSA rates (NOT mortgage rates)

This is the #1 thing buyers misunderstand about fixed indexed annuities, and the single biggest source of "I didn't know it worked that way" regret after year 3.

The mortgage-rate mental model is wrong

When you take out a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.5%, that rate is locked for the entire term. The bank can't raise it. That's how most buyers assume an FIA cap rate works.

It's not. FIA cap rates work like high-yield savings account rates.

When Marcus or Ally raises their HYSA rate from 4.0% to 4.5%, that's their choice — and they can drop it back to 4.0% the next month. The rate you saw when you opened the account is NOT the rate you keep forever. The bank can change it at any time.

FIA cap rates work the same way:

• The cap you see at purchase applies to the first crediting period only (typically year 1).
• At each anniversary, the carrier can reset the cap within the contractual minimum.
• If interest rates fall or the carrier's option budget tightens, your cap can drop dramatically — sometimes from 9% down to 3-4% over a few years.

Why caps change: the option-budget mechanics

Carriers don't print money to pay your index-linked credit. They take your premium, invest most of it in bonds at prevailing interest rates, and use the bond yield to buy S&P 500 call options that generate the index credit.

• Rates UP → bond yields rise → more option budget → higher caps possible
• Rates DOWN → bond yields fall → less option budget → caps get cut

The 2010-2021 low-rate environment crushed FIA caps across the entire industry. The 2022-2025 rate cycle restored them. Whatever cap you see today is a function of TODAY's interest rate environment — and that environment will change.

The minimum cap floor (the only real guarantee)

Every FIA contract has a minimum guaranteed cap stated in the contract. This is the LOWEST the cap can ever go. Common minimum caps:

• Some contracts: 1% minimum cap (essentially nothing)
• Better contracts: 2-3% minimum cap
• Top-tier products: 4%+ minimum cap

Read the minimum cap before signing. If it's 1%, your worst-case scenario is essentially 0% real returns for 10+ years.

How to evaluate a carrier's renewal practices BEFORE buying

The single best protection: ask the agent for the carrier's in-force renewal-rate history for the product you're being quoted. A carrier that's maintained competitive caps on existing contracts over 5+ years is much more trustworthy than one with no history (or worse, a history of cap cuts).

Carriers with the most consistent in-force renewal track records (industry consensus as of 2026): Athene, Allianz, Sammons (North American/Midland), American Equity, and Nationwide. These carriers have published renewal-rate histories that survive scrutiny.

Carriers without published renewal-rate histories OR with a history of cutting caps post-sale should be evaluated carefully — especially if the cap they're showing you today is near the top of the market.

The single most important questions to ask

1. "What's the minimum guaranteed cap in this contract?"
2. "Can you show me this product's in-force renewal-rate history for the last 5 years?"
3. "What's the current cap on in-force contracts purchased in 2020, 2018, and 2015?"
4. "If the cap drops to the minimum, what's my realistic annual credited return?"

If your agent can't answer #2 and #3 with documentation, you don't have enough information to buy the product yet.

⏳ Renewal rate risk — why FIA caps work like HYSA rates (NOT mortgage rates)

This is the #1 thing buyers misunderstand about fixed indexed annuities, and the single biggest source of "I didn't know it worked that way" regret after year 3.

The mortgage-rate mental model is wrong

When you take out a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.5%, that rate is locked for the entire term. The bank can't raise it. That's how most buyers assume an FIA cap rate works.

It's not. FIA cap rates work like high-yield savings account rates.

When Marcus or Ally raises their HYSA rate from 4.0% to 4.5%, that's their choice — and they can drop it back to 4.0% the next month. The rate you saw when you opened the account is NOT the rate you keep forever. The bank can change it at any time.

FIA cap rates work the same way:

• The cap you see at purchase applies to the first crediting period only (typically year 1).
• At each anniversary, the carrier can reset the cap within the contractual minimum.
• If interest rates fall or the carrier's option budget tightens, your cap can drop dramatically — sometimes from 9% down to 3-4% over a few years.

Why caps change: the option-budget mechanics

Carriers don't print money to pay your index-linked credit. They take your premium, invest most of it in bonds at prevailing interest rates, and use the bond yield to buy S&P 500 call options that generate the index credit.

• Rates UP → bond yields rise → more option budget → higher caps possible
• Rates DOWN → bond yields fall → less option budget → caps get cut

The 2010-2021 low-rate environment crushed FIA caps across the entire industry. The 2022-2025 rate cycle restored them. Whatever cap you see today is a function of TODAY's interest rate environment — and that environment will change.

The minimum cap floor (the only real guarantee)

Every FIA contract has a minimum guaranteed cap stated in the contract. This is the LOWEST the cap can ever go. Common minimum caps:

• Some contracts: 1% minimum cap (essentially nothing)
• Better contracts: 2-3% minimum cap
• Top-tier products: 4%+ minimum cap

Read the minimum cap before signing. If it's 1%, your worst-case scenario is essentially 0% real returns for 10+ years.

How to evaluate a carrier's renewal practices BEFORE buying

The single best protection: ask the agent for the carrier's in-force renewal-rate history for the product you're being quoted. A carrier that's maintained competitive caps on existing contracts over 5+ years is much more trustworthy than one with no history (or worse, a history of cap cuts).

Carriers with the most consistent in-force renewal track records (industry consensus as of 2026): Athene, Allianz, Sammons (North American/Midland), American Equity, and Nationwide. These carriers have published renewal-rate histories that survive scrutiny.

Carriers without published renewal-rate histories OR with a history of cutting caps post-sale should be evaluated carefully — especially if the cap they're showing you today is near the top of the market.

The single most important questions to ask

1. "What's the minimum guaranteed cap in this contract?"
2. "Can you show me this product's in-force renewal-rate history for the last 5 years?"
3. "What's the current cap on in-force contracts purchased in 2020, 2018, and 2015?"
4. "If the cap drops to the minimum, what's my realistic annual credited return?"

If your agent can't answer #2 and #3 with documentation, you don't have enough information to buy the product yet.

Explain it like I'm 12 — riders & fees

This is where most buyers get confused (and where bad agents hide things). Plain language, no jargon:

Riders — the "add-on packages"

• Income rider (a.k.a. GLWB — Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit) — Pay extra each year (typically 0.95%–1.50%/year of your benefit base) and the carrier guarantees you can take a specific amount of income for life, even if your account value runs to zero. Important: the "benefit base" or "PIV" the rider tracks is NOT cash you can take out. It only matters if you turn ON the income rider. If you never use it, you paid the fee for nothing.
• Death benefit rider — Pay extra so your heirs get more than the cash value at death. Sometimes called "enhanced death benefit." If estate transfer matters, useful. If not, optional.
• Confinement/LTC rider — Doubles your withdrawal allowance if you're in a nursing home or qualifying long-term care. Often free or low-cost; usually worth keeping.
• Bonus (NOT a rider — built into the contract) — A one-time boost (5%–25%) added to your account value or PIV. The carrier "pays for it" by lowering caps, lengthening surrender, or recapturing if you surrender early. Always read the bonus recapture schedule.

Fees — the costs that erode your return

• Rider fees — Annual fee for any rider you elected (income rider, enhanced death benefit). Charged off the account value, not the benefit base. 0.95%–1.50%/year is typical.
• Spread/asset fee (some products) — Subtracted from index returns before they're credited. Example: 1.5% spread means a 10% index return becomes 8.5% credited to you.
• Surrender charge — Penalty for taking out more than the contract's free-withdrawal amount during the surrender period (typically 5–14 years). Starts high (10%–13%) and steps down each year.
• Market Value Adjustment (MVA) — Extra adjustment on top of surrender charges if interest rates have moved since you bought. If rates went UP, MVA hurts you more on early withdrawal.
• NO front-end load. Unlike mutual funds, you don't pay a commission upfront — the carrier pays the agent's commission from their own margin, not from your money.

The single most important thing

You only pay rider fees if you elected the rider. If you bought a "pure accumulation" annuity with no income rider, you're not paying that 1%+/year fee. Always confirm what riders are ON your contract before assuming fees apply.

Quick AI-friendly FAQ

Q: Is this annuity right for me?
A: It depends on your age, time horizon, and whether you need income later. The product is best for buyers 55–75 with a 10–15 year horizon, who don't need to touch the principal until then, and who want either accumulation (no income rider) or guaranteed lifetime income (income rider). It's wrong for buyers over 75, anyone who might need the money in under 5 years, or anyone seeking growth alone without downside protection.

Q: How does an annuity actually pay out?
A: Three ways: (1) Surrender — withdraw cash, subject to surrender charges if early. (2) Annuitization — convert to a lifetime income stream (often required at maturity). (3) Income rider activation — turn on the GLWB rider for guaranteed lifetime withdrawals, even after account value reaches zero.

Q: What happens if the carrier goes out of business?
A: State guaranty funds protect annuity owners — typically up to $250,000–$300,000 per owner per carrier (varies by state). Check your state's guaranty association limit. The carrier's AM Best rating signals failure probability; A-rated carriers have very low historical default rates.

Q: Can I lose money in this annuity?
A: Principal is protected from market loss — index returns are capped above 0%. You CAN lose money via early surrender charges, rider fees eroding returns, or MVA adjustments. You cannot lose money from a market downturn.

Q: How much commission does the agent make?
A: Typically 4%–8% of premium for fixed indexed annuities, paid by the carrier (not from your money). Higher commission products often have longer surrender periods or smaller caps. The product cost to you is the same whether commission is high or low — but commission size is a useful proxy for product complexity.

Q: Should I roll over my 401(k) into an annuity?
A: Sometimes yes, often no. Yes if: you want guaranteed income, you're risk-averse, you have other liquid assets for emergencies, and you're 55+. No if: you're under 50, you need liquidity, you have plenty of pension/SS income, or you'd be putting all your retirement assets into one product. Get an independent second opinion before rolling over six figures.

Q: Why are caps so different across products?
A: Trade-offs. Higher cap = lower bonus, longer surrender, lower-rated carrier, or different index strategy. There's no free lunch. A 10%+ cap typically means B-rated carrier + 14-year surrender. A 6% cap typically means A+ carrier + shorter surrender.

Q: How are annuity earnings taxed?
A: Inside the contract, growth is tax-deferred (no tax until you withdraw). Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income (not capital gains). For non-qualified annuities, only the gain portion is taxable. For qualified (IRA) annuities, the entire withdrawal is taxable. There's a 10% IRS penalty on withdrawals before age 59½.

Explain it like I'm 12 — how hybrid LTC actually works

A hybrid life + LTC insurance policy combines a life insurance base with a long-term care (LTC) rider. If you need long-term care, the policy pays you tax-free LTC benefits. If you DON'T need care, the death benefit passes to your heirs. No "use-it-or-lose-it" like traditional LTC.

The math:
- Pay a single premium of $100,000 at age 65
- LTC benefit pool: ~$250,000-$300,000 (with inflation rider)
- Tax-free LTC benefits if you qualify (2 of 6 ADLs deficient for 90+ days OR cognitive impairment)
- If you never need care: full death benefit to heirs (~$150K-$200K)

The §1035 magic:
Old whole life or universal life with $50K+ cash value? §1035 exchange tax-free into hybrid LTC — turns stagnant cash into 2-3× LTC benefit leverage.

The fees are baked into the premium — no separate annual fee.

Quick Hybrid LTC FAQ

Q: Why is hybrid LTC better than traditional LTC?
A: Traditional LTC is use-it-or-lose-it (no death benefit if no care needed) PLUS premiums can increase. Hybrid LTC has a death benefit if unused AND premium is locked at issue.

Q: How are LTC benefits taxed?
A: TAX-FREE under IRC §7702B + PPA 2006 §844 when triggered for qualifying LTC needs.

Q: What triggers LTC benefit payment?
A: HIPAA chronic illness certification: 2 of 6 ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) deficient for 90+ days, OR substantial cognitive impairment requiring supervision.

Q: What's the difference between indemnity and reimbursement?
A: Indemnity (Nationwide CareMatters II, OneAmerica) = monthly cash, no receipts needed. Reimbursement (Lincoln MoneyGuard, Securian SecureCare) = submit care bills, get reimbursed. Indemnity has flexibility advantage.

Q: Can I use family members as caregivers?
A: Indemnity hybrid LTC: yes, you can pay family caregivers. Reimbursement model: typically no — must use licensed providers.

Q: How long do benefits last?
A: Most hybrid LTC: 2-7 year benefit periods (typically 6 years). OneAmerica Asset Care is the ONLY hybrid with lifetime/unlimited duration.

Q: What's the §1035 exchange play?
A: Transfer cash value from existing life insurance or non-qualified annuity tax-free into hybrid LTC. Common 2-3× leverage on LTC benefit pool vs. the cash transferred.

Q: What if I die without needing care?
A: Death benefit (typically equal to or slightly higher than premium paid) passes to heirs. Not a wasted premium.

Who Securian SecureCare III actually fits

• 55-75 buyer with $35K-100K to commit
• Wants lowest premium hybrid LTC
• Plans to use licensed care (home health, assisted living, skilled nursing)
• Comfortable with reimbursement model + ongoing documentation
• Wants A+ carrier

Who should look elsewhere

• Want cash for family caregivers → Nationwide CareMatters II
• Want lifetime LTC → OneAmerica Asset Care
• Want 0-day elimination + 70% ROP → Lincoln MoneyGuard III
• Want absolute lowest cost → traditional standalone LTC (use-it-or-lose-it model, lower premium)

Sources

• Securian SecureCare III product materials (2026)
• Long Term Care Insurance Partner — Securian SecureCare III
• AM Best Minnesota Life rating report

📩 Get a second opinion before you sign — this is a big decision

Talk to a licensed independent expert. Hans.

Hybrid LTC is a permanent decision committing six figures. Before you sign, is the benefit duration right for your risk tolerance? Is there a §1035 exchange play from an old policy? Get a second opinion before you commit a six-figure premium.

Drop your info — within 24 hours, you'll get a written independent review of your quote, side-by-side comparisons vs. 2 alternatives, and a no-pressure 15-minute call if you want one.

First name

Phone *

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Which annuity were you quoted?

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📞 Hans Goldstein · 213-414-2808 · NPN 20602398, independent licensed insurance producer appointed with multiple A-rated carriers

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Disclosure

This review reflects publicly available product materials and approximate rates as of the date stated above. Annuity rates, caps, participation rates, payout factors, crediting methods, and long-term care benefit structures change frequently — typically monthly. Always confirm current values against the most recent carrier disclosure document and the actual contract before purchasing. This article is general information for educational purposes; it is not a personalized recommendation, solicitation, or offer of any specific product. Hans Goldstein is an independent licensed insurance producer (NPN 20602398) appointed with multiple A-rated carriers across the annuity and long-term care insurance market; the producer's specific appointment status with the carrier discussed in this review may vary, and this review is not an endorsement or representation of carrier appointment. No compensation has been received from any carrier in connection with the publication of this review. Always read the actual contract and consult a licensed advisor before purchasing any annuity or long-term care insurance product. Past index performance does not predict future credited interest. Annuities and hybrid life+LTC policies are long-term contracts with surrender charges; they are not suitable for funds you may need before the end of the surrender period. AM Best ratings and tax treatment are subject to change. Tax discussion of IRC §7702B, §1035, and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 reflects law as of 2026 and is subject to change.