The post was about a deal where you don't have to actually die to get some of your life insurance money. It's called a life settlement.

Here's how it works: You sell your life insurance policy to an investor for a fraction of the face value of the policy, maybe 20 to 30 cents on the dollar. The company pays the premiums to keep it in force, and when you die, they get the full payout instead of your beneficiaries.

I remember its a wonderful life talking about the value of his life insurance if cashed in vs if he was dead. Is this all that new?