Updated Numbers in Special Needs and Long-Term Care Planning

As we step into 2025, we want to update you with the latest financial limits and thresholds related to elder law and special needs planning. Below are some of the most important numbers for 2025. As always, we are here to help you and your loved ones plan for protection and peace of mind.

Estate Planning

An estate valued at less than $51,100 will avoid probate. This means if a Maine resident dies in 2025 owning less than $51,100 in their individual name, the beneficiaries can collect assets without the need for the appointment of a personal representative. However, if the individual owned real estate, probate will be needed regardless of the value.

Estate tax continues to apply to a small percentage of taxpayers. For 2025, the federal gift tax and estate tax combined lifetime exclusion amount for an individual has increased to $13.99 million. The annual federal gift tax exclusion amount is now $19,000. This allows an individual to give up to $19,000 per person without those gifts counting against the $13.99 million lifetime exemption.

The Maine estate tax threshold is up to $7 million for an individual. Maine still does not collect a state gift tax.

Long-Term Care Planning

Our firm continues to help families with asset protection and MaineCare planning as the costs for nursing home care, assisted living, and in-home services increase. These are the important figures to consider for long-term care planning:

• The Medicare Part B monthly premium increased to $185.
• The daily co-insurance for skilled nursing care from day 21 through day 100 is $209.50.
• The Community Spouse Resource Allowance has increased to $157,920. This means the combined asset limit for a married couple when one spouse applies for MaineCare nursing home benefits is $167,920.

Special Needs Planning

Many of our clients rely on valuable public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and MaineCare to meet basic living needs and healthcare expenses. For individuals receiving public benefits or looking to preserve public benefits following receipt of an inheritance or settlement, these are the important numbers in 2025:

SSI has increased to $967 per month. The resource limit remains unchanged at $2,000.

MaineCare income limits have all increased. The following are the new monthly income limits for a single individual based on coverage group:

• Aged and disabled - $1,305
• Expansion - $1,801
• QMB (Medicare Savings Program) - $2,413

The annual contribution limit to an ABLE account is $19,000 for 2025.