How can a guaranteed-issue long-term care rider help with planning?

EquiTrust Bridge® is a fixed index annuity with a Long-Term Care Rider, not traditional stand-alone long term care insurance. The guaranteed-issue description is a product-specific term for the Bridge LTC rider and applies only when the applicable annuity suitability requirements and current contract terms are met. Bridge uses optional underwriting: a client may bypass it and receive the Secure underwriting class. Participating in underwriting may result in Standard or Preferred classes, which may provide greater LTC benefit leverage than Secure. Product availability, eligibility, benefits, and terms are subject to the current contract and carrier requirements.

Does living in a care facility or receiving home care affect the rate class?

One health question asks whether you currently live in, or have been advised to enter, a nursing home or assisted living facility, or whether you receive home health care or adult day care. Independent senior living without assistance for activities of daily living is generally a “no.” A “yes” may affect the rate class and can place an applicant in the Secure rate class. Bridge LTC benefit availability remains subject to applicable annuity suitability requirements and current contract terms.

What activities of daily living are considered in the health questions?

The pre-screening asks whether you need help or supervision with bathing, dressing, eating, walking, transferring, toileting, or continence. These are commonly called activities of daily living, or ADLs. Answering “yes” may affect the rate class and the long-term care benefit available per dollar invested. Bridge LTC benefit availability remains subject to applicable annuity suitability requirements and current contract terms.

How do Bridge health questions affect the LTC benefit class?

For EquiTrust Bridge®, a fixed index annuity with a Long-Term Care Rider, health information may be considered in optional underwriting for the Bridge LTC benefit class. These are not traditional LTC insurance knockout questions. A health answer that affects the class does not automatically mean the client receives no Bridge LTC benefits, provided the applicable annuity suitability requirements are met. A client may bypass optional underwriting and receive the Secure class, which is not a decline. Optional underwriting may result in Standard or Preferred classes, which may provide greater LTC benefit leverage. Current contract terms and carrier requirements control.

Does using medical equipment affect the long-term care rider rate class?

A “yes” answer does not automatically result in a denial. It can, however, place an applicant in the Secure rate class, subject to applicable annuity suitability and product requirements.

How can health history affect the Bridge LTC benefit class?

For EquiTrust Bridge®, a fixed index annuity with a Long-Term Care Rider, health history may be considered in optional underwriting and may affect the Bridge LTC benefit class and potential benefit leverage. It does not automatically determine whether Bridge LTC benefits are available when the applicable annuity suitability requirements are met. The current Bridge process and contract terms control, so a licensed professional can help explain the applicable questions without treating them as traditional LTC insurance decline rules.

Does receiving Social Security Disability Insurance affect the rate class?

It does not automatically cause a denial, but it may affect the rate class and long-term care benefit available per dollar invested, subject to applicable annuity suitability and product requirements.

What happens after the initial health questions?

Applicants seeking a higher rate class after answering “no” to the first three questions may continue with a live video assessment of about 30 minutes. Your advisor can also explain how rate class, coverage ratios, long-term care benefits, and a possible 1035 exchange may apply to your situation. Product features, availability, and eligibility can vary, so review the current materials before making a decision.

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Long Term Care Planning in Dallas, TX

Long Term Care Insurance Agency in Dallas, TX

Jilek Risk Group is an independent insurance agency helping individuals, families, retirees, and business owners compare long term care insurance, retirement income options, Medicare choices, and Social Security decisions. As a life insurance agency, we also provide educational guidance on term, permanent, final expense, legacy, and long term care rider options.

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Long Term Care Insurance in Dallas, TX

Independent long term care insurance and planning guidance for Dallas-area clients comparing traditional coverage and alternative strategies.

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Long Term Care Insurance After a Decline in Dallas, TX

Explore long term care planning alternatives after a traditional coverage decline, with independent guidance for your health, assets, and family goals.

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Hybrid Long Term Care Insurance in Dallas, TX

Explore hybrid long term care insurance and asset-based strategies that may help protect retirement assets while preserving potential legacy value.

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Fixed and Fixed Indexed Annuities in Dallas, TX

Create dependable retirement income with fixed and fixed indexed annuity options tailored to your goals.

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Annuities With Lifetime Income Riders in Dallas, TX

Create dependable retirement income with annuities that can include lifetime income riders.

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Life Insurance Agency in Dallas, TX

Life insurance planning that helps protect income, legacy, and the people who depend on you.

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Traditional Long Term Care Insurance in Dallas, TX

Learn how stand-alone long term care insurance works, what it may cover, and how it compares with hybrid planning strategies.

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Long Term Care Insurance Quotes in Dallas, TX

Request a personalized review of long term care insurance options in Dallas, with independent guidance on coverage, underwriting, and policy design.

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Meet Ken Jilek

Ken Jilek, CLTC®, RSSA®

Ken Jilek, CLTC®, RSSA®, provides independent insurance and retirement planning guidance for clients throughout Texas and across the United States where licensed. His work centers on helping people make informed decisions about long term care, retirement income, life insurance, Medicare, and Social Security claiming strategies.

Before founding Jilek Risk Group, Ken served as a Senior Vice President in wealth management at Amegy Bank and Bank of Texas, and taught graduate-level finance coursework at SMU through the Texas Bankers Association. That background shapes how he approaches long term care and retirement decisions: as part of a client's complete financial picture, not as a stand-alone product sale.

Ken often helps clients who have been declined for traditional long term care insurance or who believe health issues may limit their options. In those situations, he explores alternative strategies that may help provide long term care benefits while also supporting asset protection and legacy goals.

He also helps retirees and near retirees evaluate fixed and fixed indexed annuities, including lifetime income options, so they can create more predictable income from a portion of their savings. Every conversation is educational and centered on the tradeoffs, costs, and benefits that matter most to the client.

Professional Credentials

Kenneth Jilek Registered Social Security Analyst RSSA certificate — Kenneth J. Jilek, Registered Social Security Analyst® — Registration No. 08512

Kenneth J. Jilek earned the Registered Social Security Analyst® designation after completing specialized education and examination requirements in Social Security claiming strategies. He helps individuals and couples understand how claiming decisions may affect retirement income, spousal benefits, survivor benefits, and their broader retirement plan.

We start with your goals. We look at what you want to protect, what you want income to do, and what decisions are most urgent.
We explain the options clearly. You receive straightforward guidance on how each strategy works and what it may mean for your future.
We make the process accessible. Consultations can be handled by phone or video conference for added convenience.

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How We Help

Every consultation starts with your goals and ends with clear options you can compare side by side.

Goal-Based Guidance

We focus on the outcome you want, whether that is long term care protection, retirement income, Medicare help, or legacy planning.

Clear Side-By-Side Comparisons

We explain how the available strategies differ so you can weigh benefits, limitations, and tradeoffs with greater confidence.

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Clients can connect with us by phone or video, making it easier to get thoughtful guidance from home.

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Jilek Risk Group serves Dallas and nearby communities with independent long term care, retirement income, Medicare, life insurance, and Social Security planning guidance designed to help clients make informed decisions.

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Planning FAQs

Long Term Care Planning FAQs

What kinds of clients do you work with?

We work with individuals, families, retirees, and business owners who want guidance on long term care, retirement income, Medicare, life insurance, and Social Security decisions.

Can you help if I was declined for traditional long term care insurance?

Yes. A major focus of our practice is helping people explore alternative long term care strategies when traditional coverage is not available or may not be the best fit.

Do you only work with clients in Dallas?

No. We are based in Dallas but serve clients throughout Texas and in other states where we are licensed.

How do consultations take place?

Consultations can be completed by phone or video conference, which makes it easy to review your options from home.

What makes your approach different?

We take an educational and consultative approach. Our goal is to help you understand the tradeoffs and potential benefits before you make an important decision.

Do you help with retirement income planning?

Yes. We help clients evaluate fixed and fixed indexed annuities, including strategies with lifetime income riders, to create more predictable retirement income.

Can you help with Medicare choices?

Yes. We assist clients in comparing Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and prescription drug plan options based on their personal situation.

Do you provide Social Security claiming guidance?

Yes. Kenneth Jilek is a Registered Social Security Analyst, and we help clients understand how Social Security decisions may fit into a broader retirement plan.

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Share your concerns about long term care, retirement income, Medicare, or life insurance, and we will help you understand the strategies that may fit your situation.

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