How long does the money actually last?

The community costs more per month than what comes in. This works out how many months of private pay your family really has, with the yearly rate increases included.

What comes in each month

Use the deposit amounts, not the gross figures.

Social Security

Pension

Annuity already being paid

Rental income, after expenses

VA benefit already being received

Total income$2,100

What care costs each month

Take these from the actual fee schedule, not from what you were told on a tour.

Base rate or monthly rent

Care fees The level-of-care charge, billed separately at most communities

Medication management

Anything else billed monthly

Total care cost$4,900

Liquid assets Spendable now with no penalty. Not the house.

Annual increase Ask what theirs has been

Months you need to cover Five years of private pay is 60

Your runway

Monthly gap

$2,800

Napkin math, no increases

3y 10m

With 5% yearly increases

3y 5m

Now you know the number. What do you do about it?

There are six ways families close a gap like this, and most families only ever hear about one, because whoever they happened to ask only sells one. Selling the house is only one of the six, and sometimes it is the wrong one.

Talk it through: a 30-minute call

Phone, text, email, or video, whichever is easiest for you. No obligation, and nobody will ask you to list the house.

Ryan Riggins is a licensed North Carolina real estate broker (#361546, eXp Realty) who never takes the listing and never buys the house. This calculator is educational and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Confirm your situation with the right licensed professional before you act.