MetLife to Discontinue Long-Term Care Insurance Sales

MetLife (NYSE:MET) announced on Thursday it will discontinue its offering of long-term care insurance to individuals and halt new enrollments into multi-life and group plans with timing based on contract requirements.

For current policyholders, the move will not affect them if premiums are paid on schedule.

In the last year, long-term care insurance policies have experienced a steep increase in premiums nationwide. Insurance companies struggling with record-low interest rates have upped rates on such policies as a result. Another deciding factor in long-term care rate increases is the fact that policyholders are living longer and generating higher claims than expected.

Overall, the insurance industry has taken a hit in recent years, and it is not expected that many new retirement products sold will retain their low lifetime rates and bond yields.