Consideration-based bearer certificates entitling a bearer to private civil security benefits are offered (105) and then provided (110) in exchange for consideration. The consideration-based bearer certificates may entitle a bearer to civilly-catastrophic event based access to a private civil security benefit. Benefits may also be provided prior to a civilly-catastrophic event. It is contemplated that the offeror of the consideration-based bearer certificates may also maintain (210) and/or provide private civil security benefits to authorized beneficiaries of consideration-based private civil security subscriptions. The benefits available to a bearer of the bearer certificates may vary. Similarly, the method of, manner of, or place for exchanging the bearer certificates for benefits may vary or be limited.