People from many countries find it difficult to understand how the majority of Americans live comfortable lives without the support of a public welfare system. Medical care in the United States is expensive university education can cost ＄20,000 per year living well after a worker retires requires more money than will be paid through the Social Security System. Most Americans prepare for those needs by saving a part of their salaries in saving banks others invest in industries or service corporations in hopes of receiving greater profits. Most Americans also buy insurance of many kinds. In buying insurance, a working person agrees to pay a set sum of money every month or at other regular intervals. In exchange, he or she receives money when needed. Life insurance guarantees a sum of money to survivors of the person in case of death. Medical and hospital insurance guarantees payment of large medical and hospital bills. There is also dental insurance and insurance that pays money when a home burns down. An American can also insure a car, furniture or other personal belongings. Other benefits for working Americans are provided by the companies they work for or the labor unions to which they belong. All large businesses and many smaller ones offer their workers benefits. These benefits can include free or low-cost medical insurance and life insurance. Many companies also have retirement plans. The companies put money aside to pay their workers when they retire. There are also profit-sharing plans through which extra money is put aside for workers when the company makes a great deal of money in any one year. Many labor unions also have special funds from which workers can receive monthly checks when they retire or if they become disabled and cannot work. Some unions also pay for medicine that the workers need but which may not be purchased by medical insurance. Some pay workers a small amount of money if they lose their jobs. The cost of higher education is usually paid by a combination of private savings, income from a part-time job held by the student, and low interest loans or grants of money given to needy students by the federal government but administered by the university. How do most of the Americans pay for their huge expense of living?