24 | The Warren Buffett Plan: Own Other People’s Life Insurance
Description
What if you could invest the exact same way Warren Buffett does without needing millions?
In this episode of Truly Diversified, retirement strategist Ben Mohr breaks down how the ultra-wealthy use life settlements to generate competitive returns with no stock market risk. For decades, hedge funds, banks, and major institutions have quietly bought life insurance policies as assets… and now, for the first time, everyday investors can finally do the same.
Ben reveals how direct policy ownership works, what kind of returns are possible, how life expectancy reports guide the process, and why buying the actual asset (instead of a fraction of a fund) means even bigger upside. If you’ve ever wondered how to play the game the 1% plays, this episode shows you exactly how.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:00 ] – Why CDs and annuities leave investors frustrated long-term
[00:00:44 ] – How the market swings impact returns in ways you can’t control
[01:00 ] – Why the wealthy invest outside the market
[01:23 ] – How life settlements actually work
[01:40 ] – What an 82% return looks like inside a life settlement fund
[02:18 ] – The game-changer: direct policy ownership
[03:00 ] – How Warren Buffett buys policies and waits for payouts
[04:00 ] – Cutting out the middle layer and doubling potential returns
[05:14 ] – What servicing a direct policy looks like behind the scenes
[05:54 ] – Example #1: $150K policy you can buy for $60K
[06:29 ] – Life expectancy reports and what they reveal
[08:22 ] – Expected timelines and real-world maturity patterns
[08:51 ] – Example #2: $500K policy available for $130K
[10:31 ] – Even if someone lives twice as long as expected… still profitable
[11:34 ] – In nearly 3 decades, Ben has never seen a policyholder reach 100
[12:55 ] – Real case study: a 4.5-year maturity on a 9-year expectancy
[13:43 ] – How early maturities create 20%, 30%, even 40%+ APRs
[14:26 ] – Smaller vs. larger policies: what changes and why
[15:43 ] – How to start: $50K minimum for direct ownership
[17:00 ] – Why accredited investors can now “play Warren Buffett’s game”
Mentioned Resources
- Life Expectancy Reports
- Previous Episode About Life Expectancy Reports
- Echo Life (Barry Neal’s company)
- AXA and Equitable (A-rated carrier)
- Universal Life Policies
Important Links
- Book a call to speak with Ben: https://rebrand.ly/life-asset-consult
- Watch our webinar (no opt-in): https://rebrand.ly/ben-mohr-56b45e
- Grab our ebook here (no opt-in): https://rebrand.ly/life-asset-ebook
Truly Diversified is an original podcast brought to you by Ben Mohr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.




