X-Message-Number: 9806
Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 12:04:09 -0400 (EDT)
From: "B. F. Shelton" <>
Subject: Fee Increases to Current Members

On Fri, 29 May 1998, Charles Platt (Cryonet #9800) wrote:

> Obviously it is not possible for any organization to guarantee constant 
> pricing for the next fifty years or more. All cryonics organizations 
> reserve the right to change their fees.

Thanks for the clarification.  This puts the "sign up now if you still can
and before it costs a fortune" sentiments from Brenda Peters, in better
perspective.

Thanks also to Jim Yount of ACS for posting their position.

Can we also hear from Alcor and Cryonics Institute, on whether their
contracts provide for possible increases to currently paid-up or
insurance-guaranteed members?  Is Mr. Platt's statement above correct?

It does make sense to have a financially viable company, which assures
provision at least for inflation.  Mr. Platt's recommendation of indexed
life insurance seems reasonable, for those who need insurance funding.

For those who have the cash, it would seem prudent to keep the guaranteed
funds invested with accumulation of returns to meet or beat inflation.  If
the company is paid up front, of course, it could do this, and relieve the
individual member/customer of such worries.  Is this how some companies
currently handle funds from people who pay the entire cryopreservation fee
upfront (hopefully they don't just spend it!)?

B.F.

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