Individual entrepreneurs, digital nomads and retired consultants: the new world of work is dissolving traditional career models. A podcast by “Paul the Insurer” shows why insurance systems are becoming the silent foundation of this new freedom.
In the “Paul the Insurer” podcast, host Paul talks about his friend Eduardo Remolins – a staunch advocate of individual entrepreneurship. In his own series “Mind Your Business”, Remelenz describes a model that was originally coined by corporations such as Nike and Apple: Companies own hardly any material assets, but organize networks of producers, service providers and creative people.
Remelenz applies this principle to individuals. His credo: anyone can be an entrepreneur – alongside a permanent job, at a young age or even when the traditional job market no longer opens doors.
The new freedom after a career
Paul himself is an example of this development. After his retirement, he initially worked in the traditional way: office in the city, assistance, fixed costs. But technology made him independent. Today, he looks after customers worldwide, organizing himself through a network of graphic designers, marketing specialists, IT experts and consultants.
The result: maximum flexibility. Work where you want. With whom you want. Without rigid structures. For Paul, this is a luxury and also possible because he is financially secure thanks to state and company pensions.
When freedom also means risk
The situation is different for many others. Young self-employed people, career changers or older founders often do not have stable cover. Although state systems usually cover basic risks such as illness or accidents, there is often only a small cushion when it comes to old-age provision.
At the same time, life expectancy is increasing. If you live longer, you have to make provisions for longer. And this is precisely where the role of insurers in the new world of work begins.
The insurer as a silent partner
Insurance is not described in the podcast as a bureaucratic compulsory program, but as an enabler. The principle: a portion of today’s income, for example from consulting or project work, is saved and later paid back as a regular pension, including interest.
The entrepreneur does not have to worry about stock market prices or yield curves on a daily basis. The risks are outsourced. Paul calls this model “risk financing without risk”, to put it bluntly but clearly.
Insurance as the foundation of the solo economy
The new world of work thrives on freedom, flexibility and personal responsibility. But without financial security, this freedom remains fragile. Insurance thus becomes a kind of invisible foundation: it makes it possible to work independently without existential fear of illness, old age or loss of income.
Insurance is thus becoming not just a product, but a central building block of a society in which more and more people are their own employer and a system for a new “religion” of independence.
Binci Heeb
Paul the Insurer has other content that may interest you, such as the series of interviews with insurance industry executives.
Read also: Paul the Insurer 2: A creative life in risk management
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