Student Membership & Suspension Plan

A: There are at least three reasons young people enroll:


1. accidental death (the prime cause or mortality in young people) can occur at any age;

2. health conditions may develop which make it impossible or difficult to obtain a life insurance policy (most people use a life insurance policy to finance their own cryonic suspension);

3. your membership in and continued support of the American Cryonics Society helps us to stay in business and engage in research and provide information on cryonics which, in turn, will help you whenever you are suspended.

A: Yes, cryonic suspension is relatively expensive. However, most people use a life insurance policy to fund their suspension, which for a younger person, is very affordable.

A: Minimum funding recommendations by the American Cryonics Society for plans offered by our organization range from $45,000 through $135,000. While we are not legally allowed to quote insurance rates (consult your insurance company or insurance agent) we can give you an approximation. Student may pay in the neighborhood of $60 to $150 a year for a term life insurance policy for this coverage. Most insurance companies allow payments to be made monthly, annually, semi-annually, or every three months.

A: No. Students also pay a membership fee of $55 per year.

A: You must be enrolled as a full time student at a college, university or trade school to qualify for this significantly reduced rate.

A: Yes, since this rate is so low, we require it be paid in one payment.

A: Apart from providing the funding (usually by way of life insurance) and paying our $55 per year membership, nothing more is required of you. Of course we do encourage you to participate in the affairs of the American Cryonics Society. We want you to participate in student membership forums (usually by e-mail or phone) and to be willing to discuss issues connected with cryonics suspension with other students and (sometimes) with other non-student members or inquirers.

A: The student discount applies for a full year from the time you graduate or otherwise leave school. After that, you pay the full membership dues. While we expect our members to pay their dues in a timely fashion, the American Cryonics Society is accommodating to members who have temporary financial hardships.

A: Currently dues for full members (people who are signed up to be suspended when they die) are $300 per year. There is also an initiation fee of $76 per year which is paid off in four yearly payments. In other words the member pays $376 per year for the first four years, then $300 per year after that. There is also a monthly membership payment plan where you pay $35 each month.

A: After you graduate, you may with to enroll under this "LifePlus" plan. Under this plan you pay your initiation fee all in the first year so your dues are just $300 per year after that. There are no special benefits to the LifePlus plan. People who choose it do so to show their support of cryonics and the American Cryonics Society.

A: No. The Board of Governors of the American Cryonics Society decides what dues should be and can vote for dues increases as needed. However, the people on the Board of Governors are all members themselves and are elected by other members. They are not going to raise dues unnecessarily.

A: Currently there are not very many people who are members of cryonics societies. Yet the suspension services we provide are substantial and expensive. We also sponsor research, publicize cryonics, and administer trusts and special projects.

A: While dues are very important to our operations, we also receive donations from members and the public in general. We encourage our members to donate to ACS, just as they support other worthy causes.

A: Under the $55 per year student membership plan you are an Associate member of the American Cryonics Society with the privilege of participating in the suspension program.

A: In order to vote and serve on the Board you must be a Full member of our organization. Upon graduation, students then "graduate" to full membership and pay the regular annual dues which are currently $300 per year, after payment of the initiation plan.

A: Yes. By paying our full membership initiation fee now, or agreeing to pay it over the next four years, you immediately become a full member of the American Cryonics Society with all membership privileges. There are two initiation fee payment plans: $1,000 payable in one installment (this includes first year's membership), or $76 per year payable for four years. The $76 payment is in addition to the annual $55 student membership fee.

A: When you go back to school just notify us that you have done so, and we will reduce your dues to the $55 yearly payment. If you have paid your initiation fee, under either of our two initiation payment plans, then your voting privileges (and eligibility to serve on our board) will remain.

A: Yes. Students may not use a trust to fund their suspensions. This is because when a member funds through a trust, which he establishes now, there may be additional legal and administration expense for us to review this trust and determine if the trust provisions are acceptable. Students may fund their suspension through insurance, annuities, or by pre-payment. Of these methods, funding with a life insurance policy is by far the most frequently used.

A: Almost any life insurance agency can sell a life insurance policy to be used to fund an individual's cryonic suspension. Have your agent call us and we will discuss any special considerations for use of the policy to fund suspension.

A: A complete discussion of life insurance for cryonic purposes is beyond the scope of this brief paper; but, put briefly, here are some of these "special considerations:" 1. the proper beneficiary designation; 2. Double indemnity rider not recommended; 3. understand any conversion provisions.

A: In some cases we can refer you to an agent who has had previously sold policies to people for cryonics.

A: While we don't specifically recommend any insurance companies, we can tell you the names of some companies which have written insurance policies for some of our members. Call us at our home office, or contact the Membership Coordinator, for this information.

A: Many ACS members wear medic alert tags.

A: Write, phone, e-mail or stop into the ACS office in Northern California.

A: The Membership Coordinator, James Yount, can answer questions about the Student Membership Plan and the Suspension Services available through the American Cryonics Society. Questions concerning funding through sources other than insurance polices, and for information on trusts should be directed to the ACS mailing address.