Structured settlements expert John Darer reviews the latest structured settlements news and information and provides expert opinion and commentary, including settlement planning issues/ ideas for settlement management, incisive Structured Settlement Watchdog® commentary that may be helpful to lawyers, plaintiffs, claims adjusters, judges, the news media, sellers and buyers of structured settlement receivables,and interested others. The style is spicy, informative, irreverent and effective. The most prolific structured settlements blog, Now in 19th Year! Check back daily for something new.
A chilling report coming from Settlement Quotes, LLC suggests that the website of Patriot Settlement Resources "appears to have been hacked over the weekend and is now
spreading a series of malicious software from their website". Andrew Cravenho suggests that the Trojan virus affecting visitors to Patriots's website is not hosted on the company servers.
Apparently the virus has been active for about 24 hours and as of this morning Google was posting warnings when the website showed up in their rankings but not on the Adsense (pay per click) results.
Unfortunately this has to be a complete disaster for Patriot Settlement Resources, who repeatedly use the American flag symbol and the seal of the Better Business Bureau to promote "cash now" fraud, falsely imply that tort victims will get the full sum of money due them by selling structured settlement payment rights and who, in my opinion (as a result of such promotion), represent the lowest level of "cash now pusher" filth.
One can't help but wonder what personal identifiable information involving annuitants has been affected by the hacking of Patriot's web site.
A treatise on Attorney Fee Structures by attorney Richard B. Risk, JD, CSSC is posted on the Structured Settlement Services website by his son Robert Risk, CSSC a settlement planner out of Tulsa Oklahoma.
Richard B. Risk, Jr. JD, CSSC, and Robert Risk by publishing the information, suggest that there are advantages of "converting an attorney fee receivable" into a deferred compensation plan.
BUT, can an attorney actually convert a receivable into a deferred compensation plan by structuring such fees? I submit to you that he/she cannot under such circumstances and THAT makes the entire Structured Settlement Services, LLC posting er... Risky Business!
The operative question is "when is a receivable created?". In the typical personal injury contingency case there is no "receivable" until you win or settle the case, because the attorney can lose the case and get nothing. The attorney can win and lose on appeal and get nothing. If the attorney's client has signed a release and the law firm is simply waiting to get paid I submit that there is a receivable created and that the lawyer cannot structure the attorney fees.
Consider the following:
The Business Dictionary definition of "Accounts Receivable"
Sales made but not paid-for by customers (trade-debtors). Accounts receivable are shown as current (short-term) assets in a balance sheet and are, in fact, unsecured promises by customers to pay in the future. These sums are a key factor in determining a firm's liquidity and may be discounted—used in raising a short-term bank loan, or sold to a factor. A provision is usually made in the accounts of a firm to offset uncollectible accounts receivable as losses.
The Accountingcoach .com definition of "Accounts Receivable" is a current asset resulting from selling goods or services on credit
Business Dictionary definition of "Receivable"
Accounting term for amount due from a customer, employee, supplier (as a rebate or refund), or any other party. Receivables are classified as accounts receivable....and represent an asset of the firm!
If you are a plaintiff attorney or trial lawyer and wish to structure your fees be careful!
Where professional malpractice can turn on a single word, settlement consultants should avoid using financial terms unless they are sure of the definition.
The companies in the sponsored search listings that embroider most search engine results on the Internet are NOT RELEVANT to tort victims who are at or approaching the end of settlement negotiations.
Virtually all such listings companies are factoring companies who are seeking to get you to part with your payments in exchange for a discounted lump sum. Some of these "cash now pushers" use deceptive and misleading phrases to capture web traffic which apparently some feel they must must do when paying close to $50 a click. Such phrases are deceptive and misleading:
Stone Street Capital states misleadingly "receive a fast free quote for your structured settlement payments" MISLEADING
Novation Capital " Call the experts at Novation and get a free quote now" MISLEADING
Woodbridge Financial " Fast Settlement quotes, we beat your top settlement offer or pay you $500"* MISLEADING, and IF this advertising claim were true and Woodbridge were really offering structured settlement quotes it would likely be construed as an ILLEGAL REBATE under most states insurance statutes.
Washington Square Financial " Get the most from your structured settlement" MISLEADING
Washington Square Financial " It's your money-get it faster with WSF" MISLEADING
Today I'm going to discuss some common issues related to structured settlement quotes and funding which should be of importance to plaintiff attorneys, plaintiffs, insurance adjusters, defense attorneys and other interested parties or stakeholders in the structured settlement process.
Let's say you are looking at a quote, how long is it good for? The answer depends on the type of quote. A book rate may be good for 5-7 days while a daily rate may be good for 24 hours or less. If you are making or accepting on offer based on a quote that has been given to you be sure to check for an expiration date. Some brokers place a disclaimer on the quote stating that "rates are subject to change unless the case is locked-in with a commitment to accept". If the quote is based on a rated age, the rated age must be valid. Generally rated ages are good for 6-12 months (depending on the annuity issuer). If a case has been pending for sometime, the rated age request must be renewed or the quote may not be valid. A request for renewal or reconsideration of the rated age determination is a good business practice. Occasionally a rated age has been based on aged medical information. New information can be helpful in improving the rated age if there has been a change in the plaintiff's medical condition.
The timing of structured settlement funding may vary by (1) who is funding the structured settlement ("the payor"); (2) the statutory requirements of the jurisdiction as to timing of payment (e.g in New York, a defendant usually has 21 days to pay from the time he/she/it has been delivered the release of liability;(3) the nature and business practice of the payor (some stretch it out to the last possible day, others pay very quickly, or will even pre-fund the structured settlement prior to receiving a release); (4) whether Court approval of the settlement, or approval of the plan of distribution of the settlement proceeds, is required before releases can be executed; (5) whether the payor is a government entity that has special funding consideration as to timing of payments; (6) whether the payor is a state insurance guaranty or liquidation fundor insolvency scheme of arrangement; (7) anything that may be stipulated by and between the parties;
A key factor in the pricing of any structured settlement quote is the purchase date. This is the date that the annuity issuer expects the structured settlement funding. If the structured settlement funding arrives later than the purchase date it can affect the cost of the annuity. Why does it affect the cost of the annuity? As an example, consider an obligation to pay $150,000 in 10 years. If this has been priced based on a purchase date of August 1, 2008 with the payment date on August 1, 2018 it will have a particular price. If the structured settlement funding is not received on time and is instead received one month later on September 1, 2008 it is 9 years and 11 months until the payment date. Thus it makes sense that the cost could be higher. Of course if interest rates were to rise in the interim then the price could be the same or better.
There is always speculation that interest rates will increase in the near future*. Some say "how low can they go"? Playing interest rate trends with your or your client's money is a dangerous game. If you are taking such calculated risks, you need to continuously evaluate whether those risks are working for or against you. Fortunately the the broker that creates structured settlements (i.e not the factoring company representatives masquerading as structured settlement brokers) have lock-in privileges with the annuity issuers. In exchange for the agreement to fund on a certain purchase date in the future the annuity issuers will generally agree to lock-in the interest rate associated with that quote. This is particular useful when Court approval is a required for the settlement.
It's important to note that agreeing to a lock-in is a commitment. The annuity issuer actually goes out and secures investments to balance the liability created by the periodic payment obligation (as is required under the insurance laws of most states). If interest rates rise in the interim and the plaintiff attorney, who previously agreed to the lock-in commitment, goes somewhere else to get a better rate the annuity issuer agreeing to the lock-in is left screwed. Occasionally an insurance company may be willing to extend the lock-in provided the annuity payment dates are moved a number of days commensurate to the days delay in funding. However the message is that you should exercise care in agreeing to a lock-in commitment. Use it for the valuable tool that it is in the right situation. If you or your structured settlement broker abuses the privilege the annuity issuer may not grant lock-ins in the future.
* Postscript January 13, 2013. in the 5 years since the original publication of this post interest rates have actually decreased. A structured settlement established in 2008 would have outperformed many alternatives.
Check out John Darer's videos on Structured Settlement Quotes
which affect the factoring industry, particularly the segment of "cash now pushers" that have preyed on tort victims with structured settlements, with misleading advertising.
Specifically California Courts ruled that factoring companies violated the California Structured Settlement Protection Act in over 100 Court approved transfers and that the defects meant that the factoring company had violated the California consumer protection statute. The "Cash Now Pushers" involved include 321 Henderson (a JG Wentworth affiliate) and Novation Capital, whose President leads the National Association of Settlement Purchasers.
There are a number of interesting legal issues in these cases that should tie up factoring industry resources for a while. There are also a few things structured annuity issuers need to be thinking about. Please read Pullman Comley Structured Settlement Insights Vol.V Issue 1 Summer 2008 for its analysis.
S2KM's "coverage" of Pullman Comley's newsletter is essentially just paraphrase and bullet points. While Hindert never loses and opportunity to slag off what HE and the factoring industry call the primary structured settlement market, he is silent on the miscreants cited by the California Courts. Only a week ago he was waxing poetic about the June 17th JG Wentworth conference as if it was "The Second Coming".
S2KM's Patrick Hindert, the framer of the primary/secondary market "one structured settlement industry" fallacy will never again be seen as a neutral (as if he ever was by anyone other than the naive) as part of his covert effort to bring the two distinct industries together as one. The "one industry" pustule was and continues to be propaganda framed by Hindert in "Structured Settlements 3.0", adopted by the factoring industry. Onto Hindert's covert treachery, back on July 29, 2006, I responded to Hindert' with Structured Settlements 3.0: Time For a Rewrite". Herewas Hindert's response.HIndert was recently quoted in Deal Flow Media as being on a mission to bring the parties together for about 3 years. Do the math! What has the structured settlement industry done in that time?
Echoing my words of 24 months ago, the structured settlement industry should be doing now what it should've started doing 24 months ago, (i.e. distance itself from the factoring industry's bad business practices and reject the "one industry" fallacy. Those members of the structured settlement industry should banish the primary/secondary framework from their vocabulary.
Public relations efforts of structured settlement industry members should heavily emphasize the critical elements of distinction such as licensing v no licensing, regulation of advertising and solicitation practices vs no regulation. no kick backs vs kick backs etc. You don't need to have the bloated hedge fund fueled budget of JG Wentworth and Co. to be effective in this effort.
Three Month Trailing Top 10 Traffic Rank (Alexa Rank as of 06/27/2008) of Structured Settlement and Settlement Planning Industry websites* (+ or- traffic from 05/29/2008 report). Lower number means more traffic.
Who Are Ya?
Beyond Structured Settlements Blog (Pat Hindert) 395,571+
*Daniel Alvarez, JD, from Delta Settlements, who contributes to a Settlement Blog at Claris.com, HIgh Impact Structures, LLC and The Settlement Channel have been omitted from the search results as their ISPs do not differentiate between them and the ISP itself.
Structured Settlement Websites-Where Are Ya?
Three Month Trailing -Laggards Rank (+ or -Alexa traffic rank of 03/30/2008)*
Bridge Settlements 8,939,877+
National Settlement Consultants 9,048,295-
Ringler Associates 9,158,659-
Creative Capital 9,433,635-
Settlement Professionals 10,775,265-
Summit Settlements 12,477,562+
Speaking of Settlements 13,265,350-
Millennium Settlements 14,031,967-
Bridge Settlements 17,032,315-
Robin Young Company 18,106,595-
Upchurch Financial 18,394,779-
Halpern Group 18,976,266-
The Settlement Services Group (Garretson) 19,592,558-
Delta Settlements 20,355,439-
Forge Consulting 23,712,550-
Unranked by Alexa on the measuring date this month:
Bradford Settlements
Brant Hickey Associates
Cambridge Galaher
Cybersettle Structured Settlements
JMW Settlements
Legacy Settlements
Mangelsdorf
McNay Settlements
Pension Company
Premier Settlement Services, Inc.
Pressman Settlements Corporation
Shelly Justice
Selective Settlements
Speaking of Settlements
Structured Financial Associates, Inc.
Society of Settlement Planners, Inc.
Structure Wise, LLC
Summit San Diego
Survey of structured settlement website traffic only covers USA websites of the creation side of structured settlements, including professional or associate members of the National Structured Settlement Trade Association (NSSTA) or Society of Settlement Planners, Inc. (whether individuals or firms), the association websites and alternative structured settlement periodic payment providers.
Ongoing Ranking Tally (survey began in April 2007)
Times Ranked #1 in 3 month web traffic
Structured Settlements 4Real 6
Ringler Associates 1
Beyond Structured Settlements 7
Times Ranked #2 in 3 month web traffic
4structures.com, LLC 5
Structured Settlements 4Real 8
Ringler Associates 1
If your company is not ranked high enough, on the "where are ya" list or unranked, please click here for encouragement.
Further survey criteria:
Companies whose primary business is structured settlement factoring transactions are not counted in this survey because:
(i) despite the propaganda and efforts of some to "frame" them otherwise, they are NOT part of the structured settlement industry- they are part of the cash flow, factoring or settlement purchasing industry; and
(ii) the additional purpose of this survey is to identify legitimate sources of information for tort victims, their families, consumers, attorneys, judges or companies seeking structured settlements and the structured settlement brokers, certified structured settlement consultants, settlement planners, appointed structured settlement companies and agencies, United States Treasury structured settlement providers, or other financial professionals, who have the ability to place them.
Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, the plaintiffs' attorney who took on tobacco companies like Brown & Williamson (the subject of a 1999 Movie The Insider), was sentenced Friday to five years in prison
for his role in a judicial bribery case. Scruggs earned hundreds of millions of
dollars and became one of the wealthiest tort attorneys in the country during a
legal career that took him to the top of his profession. But in March, Scruggs
and former law partner Sidney Backstrom pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe a
Mississippi judge.
This isn't the first time someone at the top of their profession to jump off a cliff and it unfortunately likely isn't the last.
What leads a man at the top of his profession to kickback money to a judge and destroy his own reputation and legacy? Take your pick from greed, arrogance and a reason of your choosing.
This is not a political thing. There are many ultra successful trial lawyers who do things honestly.
The adage of "don't drink and drive" applies as much behind the wheel as well as when "on wheels", at least in Australia.
According to an Australian newspaper:
A 64 year old man on a 14 km journey to visit a friend was found asleep in his motorized wheelchair by police in a
turning lane on the Captain Cook Highway at Stratford north of Cairns, Queensland
on Friday morning. The man had 6 times the legal blood alcohol limit when breathalyzed.
The Daily Telegraph quoted police as saying that "People should be aware that drink-driving laws cover these kinds of vehicles, but also others like horses and bicycles" AND motorized wheelchairs.
This begs a question. If you get caught driving an automobile under the influence you can lose your license or even go to jail for multiple offenses. What happens with driving a wheelchair under the influence...do you lose the wheelchair?
"Thanks so much for your help throughout this process. Things are going well with the way things were set up with the last settlement, and given the current financial crisis that seems to be hitting everyone so hard, I am so thankful that I have that guaranteed income coming in on a monthly basis."
With some factoring industry morons soliciting and attempting to take advantage of the lowest common denominator by mischaracterizing and suggesting misleadingly that "you trade your teensy weensy payments for one giant lump sum", it's appropriate to highlight a response I received from an educated structured settlement recipient.
What is a Structured Settlement? What You Need to Know Structured settlements and what you need to know about them including a helpful introductory video featuring A.M. Best Client Recommended Structured Settlement Expert and Registered Settlement Planner John Darer of 4structures.com LLC
How Do Structured Settlements Work? How Structured Settlements Work How structured settlements work, including 4structures.com LLC's super helpful structured settlement flow chart/diagram showing how structured settlements fit in on the spectrum of settlement planning solutions.
Rated Ages and Structured Settlement Cost Rated Ages for Structured Settlement Annuities present advantages to all parties. Shift the mortality risk to a life insurance company whose business it it is to assess mortality risk to price its life insurance and annuities. Rated ages boost your structured settlement annuity benefit per premium dollar, or your yield on lifetime payments. Rated ages help to reduce the cost of funding a Medicare Set Aside arrangement where a Structured MSA, is being used { WCMSA LMSA or NFMSA].
Top Structured Settlement Annuity Companies 2024 Which life insurance companies issue structured settlement annuities in 2024? A list of current structured annuity issuers, the location of their home offices and their financial ratings from A.M. Best, Moodys, Fitch, Standard & Poors and/or other Tier1 NAIC ratings, with links to their websites and other useful information. Last updated June 14, 2024
Treasury Funded Structured Settlements Treasury Funded Structured Settlements are a settlement option for the most conservative using the OTHER permissible qualified funding asset under IRC 130(d), United States Treasury Bonds in addition to, or instead of, structured settlement annuities. Treasury Funded Structured Settlements can also be used to fund installment sales, also known as structured sales and other non qualified structured settlements.
Compare Structured Settlement IRR to Other Settlement Alternatives Use the Taxable Equivalent Yield chart to help compare the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of a structured settlement to other alternative or complementary investments. Need help with the chart? Call 4structures.com® LLC at 888-325-8640
Structured Settlement Payments | Types of Structured Settlements 2024 Ways You Can Structure Your Settlement Payments in 2024. With a structured settlement you can have more than one type of payment in a single contract. Different types of structured settlement payments can be customized and combined to meet your needs on a stand-alone basis, or in conjunction with other financial products. Diversify your structured settlement, if you wish, by funding with more than one annuity issuer, with treasury funded structured settlements, index linked structured settlement payments and market based structured .
Structured Attorney Fees for Tax Deferral for Attorney Contingency Fees Structured attorney fees is a financial strategy that offers a unique way to defer taxes for lawyers and law firms. Lawyers CAN structure their legal fees even if the plaintiff doesn't structure their settlement. There are multiple ways to structure your attorney fees, such as capped or uncapped index linked structured settlement annuities where payments are adjusted based on upside changes in the S&P 500 or another index, Trial Lawyers may also use a special deferred pay/deferred compensation arrangement, if market based returns returns are desired with no cap. Plan NOW for year end! Put structured attorney fee expert John Darer® on your settlement planning team in 2024.
Structured Settlement Annuity Company Customer Service Phone Numbers Receiving structured settlement payments from your own structured settlement or inherited structured settlement? You'll like this huge time saver. Click the title for a link to a comprehensive list of customer service telephone numbers that includes both current AND former structured settlement annuity issuers and reinsurers. If you have simple bank or beneficiary changes, or if the insurance company that issued the structured annuity has merged, sold or spun off its block of structured annuity business (e.g. Aviva, Allstate, Transamerica, AEGON, GE Capital, Liberty, CNA, Confederation Life), oran annuity issuer has changed its name and you're trying to track them down. Here you go! The list is regularly updated. Last updated May 20, 2024.
Structured Settlement Quote Lock-Ins | What You Need To Know What does a Structured Settlement Lock-In Mean? How do plaintiffs, defendants and insurers benefit from a structured settlement quote lock in when finalizing a settlement? How does the defendant/insurer/court benefit from using a structured settlement lock-in? Where to be careful when using structured settlement lock ins.
What Are Structured Settlement Annuities? Structured settlement annuities are annuities that can provide one or more customized annuity payment streams in a single contract. Read about structured settlement annuities here.
History of Structured Settlements Tracing the roots of structured settlements history from 1918, when Congress exempted damages for personal injury or sickness from income tax, to the establishment of structured settlements as a core personal injury settlement planning tool to the present day.
What Are Market Based Structured Settlements? Market based structured settlements are an alternative or supplementary structured settlement solution for the plaintiff, attorney or law firm that:
1. Can afford to take some market risk
2. Have discretionary settlement dollars.
Claimants and attorneys alike may find that market-based structured settlements provide the opportunity to receive tax-free income, or tax-deferred income, while enjoying growth potential.
Structured Settlements and Longevity Risk| What Are the Odds? Do your financial resources give you enough road, or will the road run out before you do? A structured settlement annuity helps mitigate the risk of outliving your savings, no matter how long you live. A structured settlement can include one or more customized payment streams and types.
Firmwide Qualified Settlement Funds Debunked Firmwide qualified settlement funds have been heavily promoted to trial lawyers, but have been debunked in a detailed analysis in a July 2022 legal opinion a tax partner at the law firm of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP. Trial lawyers and firms who have established Firmwide QSFs or coinsidering establishing a Firmwide QSF should read the analysis as part of their evaluation.
Simply Click the Subscribe Button at the top left of the page above the blog title which will take you to the blog subscribe page or follow this link https://feeds.feedblitz.com/structuredsettlements
STRUCTURED SETTLEMENTS 4REAL® Blog Is a Popular Source of Structured Settlement News, Information and Commentary, John Darer Reviews, Settlement Planning News and Financial Solutions for over 18 years,
with a stable readership that seeks credible structured settlement information, John Darer Reviews, commentary and/or opinion about topical issues related to settlement planning, targeted to lawyers, injured persons and their family members, guardians, survivors, judges, magistrates, special masters, mediators, administrators, trust companies, insurance company executives and adjusters, financial advisers, settlement professionals, financial professionals, insurance regulators, government leaders, federal and state law enforcement, buyers and sellers of structured settlement payment rights, the news media and other interested parties.
4structures.com LLC established this structured settlement blog in 2005. John Darer ®, CLU ChFC MSSC CeFT® RSP CLTC, President of 4structures.com, located in Stamford, CT 06902. John Darer is an experienced New York City area structured settlement expert, structured settlement broker, Certified Financial Transitionist, and Registered Settlement Planner. He holds insurance licenses in 45 states, has 41 years financial services experience and 31 years in the structured settlements and settlement planning space.
In his capacity as a investigative journalist and commentator, and professionally, John Darer passionately believes that shining the light on a business practice is both healthy and newsworthy. It is in the best interest of injury victims, their families and their legal advisers, that the settlement planning discussion involve those that are properly trained in the topic, properly informed on the topic and, with respect to structured settlements, properly licensed and/or appointed. It has significant instructional and deterrent value to other practitioners and firms as well as those who may be caught in the cross hairs.
WHAT YOU GET here is the straight stuff with a touch of irreverence and humor. We hope you enjoy and find the content to be helpful.
Subscribe to the structured settlement blog feed, or a specific category feed through your blog reader, or through the Subscribe button at the top left of this page. Followers of JDDarer™ on Twitter may also receive select content.
If you would like to speak with John he can be reached at (888)325-8640
Thank you for reading!
Last updated July 10, 2024
New York City Structured Settlement Experts Bridge building settlement consultants who collaborate with clients using a humanistic process, providing creative and reliable advice and support for litigating parties and their lawyers with matters in Courts throughout the New York City metropolitan area
New York Structured Settlement Expert Whether you're at the crossroads of the world or the crossroads of your life, structured settlements provide stability for when life is at a crossroad. Call 888-325-8640
New York Settlement Planning Expert for NY Attorneys and Residents - YouTube New York settlement expert John Darer's comprehensive approach to Settlement Planning helps New York personal injury lawyers and their clients move through the financial transition resulting from a major life event. CPLR Articles 50A and 50B expertise for New York lawyers
New York Structured Settlement Expert Useful information and ideas about structured settlements, settlement planning and litigation recovery managements for New York residents, New York Lawyers and New York judges
New York General Obligations Law §5-1702 The New York Structured Settlement Protection Act imposes mandatory requirements on the defendant or the defendant's legal representative when a structured settlement is created (as part of the resolution of a case)
Structured Settlements v Structured Judgments Often confused by writers on the Internet, but there IS a difference between structured settlements and structured judgments under CPLR Articles 50A or 50B. Find out more...
Connecticut Structured Settlement Experts 4structures.com LLC is based in Stamford CT and Connectict works with clients all over CT, Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, New Haven, Hartford, West Hartford, West Haven, Torrington, Danbury, Wilton, Ridgefield, Norwalk, Midletown, New London, Westport, Oxford, Stratford, Old Greenwich, Stafford, Storrs, Groton
"I'm with ***** Settlement Funding and appreciate your TRUTHFUL information"
Structured Settlement Factoring Company representative on LinkedIn, January 26, 2024
"You have a wonderful blog"
Partner in Philadelphia law firm August 30, 2020
"Impressive Blog" -Counsel to Am Law 200 ranked International Law Firm July 22, 2020
"Thank you so much for giving us your time and leading us in the right path , Thank you, you are a God send , God bless you in all your works" -K April 11, 2017
"Once again, I can't tell you how appreciative I am for your help. In today's day and age, it is rare that you actually find people who are willing to go the extra mile..." -TC May 5, 2015
"I wanted to send you this email to say Happy New Year to you and your family. May God continue to bless you. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to meet you on the phone. I truly thank you for introducing me and my son, (redacted) to (lawyer). It is people like you that God put in the path of my son situation. Thanks a million times! {original on file] 1-2-2015
"John Darer has been nothing but honest,helpful,informative with options, & his
"time" was NEVER an issue!"-Andrew S 8/18/2012
" I wish there were more like you" JG 9-15-2014
In my opinion, John Darer is an excellent consumer advocate in the insurance industry. When I had no one else to turn to after running up against the stone walls of these giant insurance company, John Darer used hours of his own time to investigate my situation. Not only is this an invaluable service to me the consumer but it is also of great value to the insurance industry by providing them consumer feed-back. This allows the insurance companies to correct their faults and move toward greater transparency which improves the overall public image of the insurance industry as a whole" JW 9/4/2014
John, Keep fighting the fight. -NASP member 12-4-2013
John...Thank you for your professional advice-Brandon 11-13-2013
"...Thanks to Mr. Darer's blog and personal pointers I was able to obtain a fair price for the sale of client structured settlement. Therefore, if one has no choice, but to sell their settlement educate yourself first before selling start by reading John's blog" Mr P. 11/17/2012
"I always appreciate when he (John Darer) keeps us informed on regs and rules. No one does it better"- structured settlement industry colleague and reader RY 7/26/2012
"Amen - and continued thanks for your vigilance, John"- RL 8/18/2011
"Thanks for writing these great blogs on your site John! As an individual investor I have learned so much about the secondary market (for annuities, structured settlements, lottery payments, etc.) from your blogs and video series!!!" (6/5/2011)
I have found the intelligent and forthright information on your site a godsend. So much so I have tried in a small way to pass on my findings to others. Please keep up the good work and enhance your well deserved reputation as the authority on this subject- Mike 4/29/2011
John -
I can't thank you enough for bringing this to my attention. In my wildest dreams... PJ-May 12, 2011
John, I love reading your blog! Not only have I found very useful information there, but the comedy is much appreciated! Thanks for talking about "the big pink elephant in the living room" that everyone else ignores!
Thank you again for your help via phone and blog! I really needed to hear what you had to say today! BM 11/23/2010
John—this (video published 11/2010) is a well done piece. I like the way you always stick to the facts-AM
What a wonderful blog you have! I have completely enjoyed reading some of your posts (4/16/2010)
Thank you so very much for discussing my concerns about Symetra, my annuity company. I am amazed that PI attorneys as well as a settlement broker in San Diego, could not answer the simplest questions I had regarding the Safeco/Symetra issue. Your blog/web site is most interesting and informative, and I am grateful you have take on the "watchdog" role!
Thank you so much again (3/25/10)
"Keep up the good work exposing abuses in our industry - our future depends on clients being properly advised."-CD
Just checked out your blog and loved it. Keep up the good and balanced work-DL
"...we have never met but I thoroughly enjoy your web site and blog - excellent material…-PB
"I enjoy your website and its content. Informative and well written"-JC
I heard a radio ad for the Peachtree Settlement Fund as I was driving into work this morning. (San Francisco Bay area.) I decided to check it out on the Internet and came upon your blog. Thank you very much. I do not have a “structured” settlement,
"All the others that I had emailed & have seen on the net were "cash now types" & have no concern of me & just are looking for my $$$. When I came across your site & blog I realized that u are an upstanding guy & are not like others. That's why I emailed"
This was Great. Right On Point-TS
"Other Than John Darer No One Seems To Be Doing Anything"-J
Thanks for your help and also for the good work you do on behalf of our industry-L
"Thank you for being the inspiration that you are and for being a strong advocate for integrity in our business"-KL
"I Commend You On Your Effort To Make a Difference!" -R
"He is a fabulous writer who has a great passion for the structured settlement industry. I commend him on the passion he invokes when he writes on his blog listed above. That type of commitment and passion is hard to find and is rare in this world" -AC
Structured Settlement Best Practices Corner
New York Insurance Advertising law requires the full name of the Insurer to be listed along with the city and state of the principal office. Stating that you represent these fine companies using Insurance company logos without the preceding information are also illegal
When it comes to settlement documents it is the ultimate responsibility of the lawyers or claims adjusters who receive input concerning the structured settlement aspects of the documents to actually read the entire document, exercise independent thought and advise their clients properly
Be aware that financial advisors use of testimonials is prohibited or restricted
Most states require that Testimonials represent the CURRENT opinion of the person who made the testimonial. Be prepared to back it up.
Number of States That Prohibit Payment of QSF expenses by licensed agents and brokers
All posts, including memes created by John Darer, Copyright 4structures.com, LLC 2024. All rights reserved. Ongoing filings have been made with the United States Copyright Office. Except for those videos in which John Darer appears, or any video advertisements or public service videos appearing on, this blog, no claim is made to videos, music or images in any mashup which are the property of their respective owners. Disclaimer: The use of any marks herein does not suggest any sponsorship, affiliation or relationship with owners of such marks. Any marks used in commentary herein are in the context of fair use to discuss the newsworthy topics presented herein.This web site is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, maintained, authorized, or sponsored by any insurance or other company referenced herein. All products, services and company names are the registered trademarks of their original owners. The use of any trade name or trademark is for identification and reference purposes only and does not imply any association, sponsorship or endorsement between the trademark holder and the operators of this web site.
Structured Settlement Watchdog® is a registered trademark of 4structures.com LLC. USPTO Reg. 4711312 All rights reserved.
John Darer® is a Registered Trademark of John Darer, Stamford CT. USPTO Reg. 4674907 All rights reserved
4structures® Reg. 4640532 and 4structures.com® Reg. 4640531 are Registered Trademarks of 4structures.com LLC. All rights reserved
Structured Settlements 4Real® is a Registered trademark of 4structures.com LLC Reg.4345946 All rights reserved.
Comments and Trackback Policy
Comments and Trackback Policy
Comments to this blog are encouraged, welcome and add spice to the interactive nature of blogs. However, the unscrupulous practice by some to deliver comment spam, to connect all manner of unrelated products to structured settlements, detracts from user experience, is NOT tolerated by this author and thus necessitates the practice of comment screening.
Jay J. Sangerman, PLLC A New York and Florida based AV rated estate planning law practice with an emphasis in Supplemental Needs Trusts, which assists attorneys in efficient case settlement though the use of Supplemental Needs Trusts and Special Needs Trusts; and Elder Law
Day Pitney LLP - People - Keith Bradoc Gallant Brad's practice includes traditional trust and estate planning and administration, special needs and disabilities planning, planning for same-sex couples and their families, planning for incapacity, and all types of probate litigation.
Helpful Structured Settlement Information is Here!
Learn more about structured settlements by reading structured settlement expert John Darer's blog
Researching Structured Settlements? It may be helpful to check (1) in Archived Blog Posts (above left); (2) use the Google search box (below); (1) visit the 4structures® website at https://www.4structures.com, (4) visit 4structures® Structured Settlement Experts YouTube Channel by clicking https://www.youtube.com/user/4structures1, or (5) call settlement expert John Darer® at 888-325-8640, toll-free in the USA, 646-849-1588 in New York City, or 203-325-8640 in CT, or from outside the USA.
Subscribe to this Blog
Simply click on the " Subscribe" link at the top left of this blog page and follow the simple instructions.
The John Darer® authored Structured Settlements 4Real® blog is the most prolific structured settlement blog, providing information, commentary and opinion since 2005 with over 5,420 blog posts, and counting!
Why Take a Structured Settlement?
A structured settlement offers guaranteed financial security to personal injury victims, wrongful death survivors and their families. A structured settlement involves a customized stream of payments, provides long-term stable tax-free income, for a period of years or a lifetime. Unlike other income annuities. a structured settlement annuity can have multiple payment streams to address multiple needs in a single contract.
London Market Structured Settlements Experts Bridge building settlement consulting using a humanistic process, providing creative and reliable support for London Market Insurers, Lloyds Syndicates, Claims Professionals and Lawyers
New York Structured Settlement Experts Bridge building settlement consultants who collaborate with clients using a humanistic process, providing creative and reliable advice and support for litigating parties and their lawyers.
FactCheck.org nonprofit "consumer advocate" for voters that Aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. They monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases.
NYC 9-11 Health The World Trade Center Health Registry is now the largest registry in U.S. history to track the health effects of a disaster. The federally funded program is information central for first responders and others with health issues from 9-11
Comments and Trackback Policy