X-Message-Number: 2969
From: 
Date: Mon, 08 Aug 94 21:48:53 EDT
Subject: CRYONICS life insurance

Commenting on Mr. Nemko's remarks on life insurance and cryonics:

I don't know any reason why cryonics organizations cannot charge different
fees for members of different ages--PROVIDED those fees cannot be construed
as life insurance premiums; and currently they are not life insurance
premiums, in law or in fact or intent. The fees or dues--if I understand the
other organizations correctly--are just to help the income and cash flow of
the organizations.  (The Cryonics Institute has no annual dues, except
$100/year ($150/couple) for those who want voting rights.)

I'm not at all sure that life insurance companies generally make "huge
profits." (If they did, would not more pile into the business?) Hence I'm not
at all sure that our going into the business, even by a back door, would be a
good idea. It would probably be a better idea, for those who need insurance,
just to shop around for the best buy.

It has often been pointed out, however, that it probably makes sense (at
least for young people with good business sense and thrift habits) not to buy
whole life, but to buy declining term insurance and combine this with a
savings/investment program. 

For older people there are other options, and the Cryonics Institute, for
one, expects to become increasingly flexible in accomodating their needs.

Robert Ettinger

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