Money Supply and the Money Multiplier. Money, either in the form of currency or as bank reserves, is a liability of the central bank. The central bank controls the monetary base, expanding or contracting it at will, according to the needs of the economy.
Whole life is also more expensive because of the costs of storing and investing your premium money. Unlike term, the money that you put into your whole life policy can be borrowed from the policy if you need it. Term policies only collect enough to cover the cost of your insurance, and have no cash value.
Health plans are extremely expensive. Even if you are having money taken from your check for health insurance, it is often just a fraction of the total cost, and the employer is subsidizing the rest. More expensive benefits that contractors don't typically get are 401K matches and paid vacation days. When contractors call in sick or don't work because it is a national holiday, they don't get paid for that day.