The concept is so intriguing, betting on existence itself. It is, in fact, a form of gambling. People are already stressed about the over-gamblification of the world through newly ventured prediction markets. Life insurance, I see as a play on the insecurities of people, framed as a resource that will help their loved ones. I see it as a part of capitalism, somewhat like a band-aid for the inflation and uncertainty the world creates, much like retirement funds as well.
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
But I want to see it differently. As the person paying premiums every month, should I not find relief in the fact that at my death, my loved ones will be taken care of? I want this. Maybe it is not something to feel stressed about. Maybe it is good.
But as a person who is, in a sense, investing in his own death for the benefit of others, it is not like he will receive much more love moving through life because of it. He will mostly carry this quietly, and perhaps his spouse understands it too.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that people, toward the end, think about what will happen when they are gone, to the people who depended on them. If a man has no children, he still thinks about leaving behind a spouse of so many years, alone. She is old. She cannot easily take care of herself.
I struggle to fully acknowledge its benefits, partly because in the society I reside in, life insurance is not considered all that practical or worthwhile.
8 April 2026, Freewriters Community Daily Writing Prompt Day 3067: life insurance