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 20th Year! Check back daily for something new.
Are Structured Settlements tax free? That is the question.
One answer appearing on the Internet from a settlement planning firm states:
1. Income tax exemption: Structured settlement payments—including growth—are 100% income tax-free.
Comment: TRUE, if the payments represent damages that qualify for an exclusion from gross income set forth in IRC 104(a)(1), IRC 104(a)(2) or IRC 139F. Generally, worker's compensation, personal physical injury or physical sickness, wrongful death and wrongful incarceration. It is not the structured settlement payments themselves that drives the tax treatment, it is what the parties agree the damages the structured settlement payments represent compensation for and how that is applied in the tax code.
2. While lump sum cash settlements are income tax-free for physical injury cases, if the money is placed in a traditional investment, then any growth is subject to income taxes.
Comment: Not exactly. The answer fails to recognize capital investments that produce capital gains.
The term capital gain refers to the increase in the value of a capital asset when it is sold from what you paid for it.
A short term gain or loss is when the asset is disposed of in one year or less. A long term capital gain or loss occurs if an asset is sold after holding for more than one year. The asset must be disposed of (sold) in order to realize a capital gain or loss. In other words, unrealized gains and losses that reflect an increase or decrease in the value of an investment are not considered a taxable capital gain.
So it would be inaccurate to say that "if the money is placed in a traditional investment, then any growth is subject to income taxes".
Smucker "Pumps Up the Jam" on Premature Lump Sum Dissipation Study with Murphy
The American Association of Settlement Consultants (AASC) announced November 10, 2022, that members of the House Ways and Means Committee, led by Lloyd Smucker of Pennsylvania and Gregory F. Murphy of North Carolina have formally r equested a government-funded study assessing the long-term economic and lifestyle impact of premature lump-sum settlement dissipation.
Perhaps the dictionary is trying to tell us something!
The task will be assigned to Honorable Gene Dodaro, the Comptroller General of the United States and head of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), who will assess the feasibility of conducting the study and respond accordingly.
In their request, the Congressmen strongly stated the need for authoritative data on the troubling incidence of premature dissipation associated with lump-sum cash settlements, “For low-income Americans and or disabled individuals, settlement income is depended upon to cover essential costs such as mortgage payments, accident-related medical expenses, and other basic living expenses."
"We are deeply concerned by historical data showing legal settlements made in the form of lump sum payments to injured parties and their families quickly dissipate, leaving victims without income when they need it most.” they said, according to the AASC release,
What is the Incidence and Impact of Premature Distribution on Injured Parties?
In addition to analyzing the incidence and impact of premature dissipation on injured parties, the request also asks that the study assess the long-term impact on mortgage foreclosures, medical debt, and other personal debt. With the availability of data that paints a complete picture of premature dissipation’s negative impact, injured parties will be able to make a more educated decision and fully assess the risk associated with cash versus annuitization of payments.
Now is the time to make good use of stuctured settlements and build enduring guaranteeed income streams
Compelling yields in Excess of 5% are possible on intermediate and long term cash flows. On November 1, 2022 for example, I locked-in a 10 year certain plan with a 5.7% Internal Rate of Return with a daily rate from United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York.
So what does 5.7% tax-free mean?
Taxable Equivalent Yields at Different Hypothetical Tax Rates
Well you're not going to put all your eggs in one basket are you? But let's say you did and if you had the fortitude to stay in the S&P 500 from January 3, 2000 to December 31, 2021 you would have averaged 9.52%.
However, if you missed just the 20 biggest trading days in the S&P 500 from January 3, 2002 to December 31, 2021 you would have averaged only 2.6%. If you missed the 30 biggest trading days the averag would onl have been 0.43% (and it goes downhill from there), according to the J.P. Morgan Asset Mnaagement 2022 Retirement Guide published March 3, 2022 p 44. Read Structured Settlement Rate of Return Compared to Alternative Investments(4structures.com) for more details.
Note: Structured settlement rates vary by insurance company and other factors such as duration. Read more about structured settlement quotes
Look over yonder What do you see? Interest Rates rising Most definitely
"Crystal Ball Persuasion" (a parody of Crystal Blue Persuasion by Tommy James & The Shondells)
At the tail end of the 2008-2009 financial crisis, the smoke signals wafted over from Vancouver, citing the media, predicting that interest rates were expected to rise and that you should sell your structured settlement THEN "because rising interest rates will make you poorer". Then I proceeded to "take the mickey" when the rising interest rates did not materialize. They actually got worse.
Anyone who would have sold structured settlement payments for pennies on the dollar, just for the sake of bowing to the crystal ball of persuasion to avoid loss of money, would have actually done worse by selling.
But interest rates have been recently been creeping up and I thought it would be worth having another "look see", so that readers can see the history and learn something from this.
June 28, 2009 1O Year United States Treasury 3.487% Close
"You may have heard in the media in recent weeks that interest rates have bottomed and are slowly creeping back up. I (Proctor)believe that this is the beginning of a new cycle of incremental increases in interest rates over the next few years. When interest rates go up, the present value of a person’s structured settlement goes down. This is a simple truth. As such, if you are considering selling your structured settlement, now is the time to get the best rate".
March 26, 2010 10 Year United States Treasury 3.705% Close
The first foghorn wasn't convincing enough, so another toot was made less than a year later to attempt to COMMAND the annuitants to sell, to unsettle annuitants
"WARNING AGAIN: If you are thinking of selling your structured settlement payments, do it NOW (the command!), before interest rate increases eat into the value of your future payments and make you poorer". Genex Capital CEO Roger Proctor
What Actually Happened With Interest Rates?
A 13 year retrospective on the 10 Year United States Treasury (June 28, 2009 to September 9, 2022)
Highest 4.01%
Lowest 0.32% April 2020 during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic
Delta 3.69% Difference between the highest and lowest
Average 2.237%
If confronted with a similar solicitation from a structured settlement factoring company, an important thing to consider is the Internal Rate of Return on what was paid to fund your structured settlement. How do you do that, you say?
The chart below goes back 20 years.
A 20 year retrospective on the 10 Year United States Treasury (June 28, 2009 to September 9, 2022) Source: Macrotrends
How Bad Did Annuitants who Sold Their Structured Settlement Payments Due to a Fear of Rising Interest Rates Get Screwed?
Above is the 54 year chart, also sourced from Macrotrends.com. So if we go back to 2009 or 2010 when Genex was encouraging the sale of structured settlements for what amounted to pennies on the dollar for fear of rising interest rates, we can see that anyone being approached to sell existing structured settlement payment rights in 2009 or 2010 was likely benefiting from a higher income tax-free rate (IRR) guarantee on their existing structure. If you sold your structured settlement payments that you were established in the 1980s or 1990s and it wasn't ELNY, you would have been screwing yourself.
When you already have a structured settlement and are receiving (or scheduled to receive) steady future future periodic payments, you are locked into the rate of return. It's a strength and a weakness. The strengths outweigh the weaknesses.
Insurance groups that include current and former structured settlement annuity issuers represent more than 43% of the largest life insurance groups in the United States.
Prudential (1)
MetLife (2)
New York Life(3)
Massachusetts Mutual Life (4, former structured settlement annuity issuer)
AIG Life & Retirement (6, soon to be Corebridge Financial)
Lincoln Financial (8, acquired Liberty Life of Boston structured settlement block, reinsured by Protective Life, #26)
John Hancock (10)
Brighthouse Financial (15, includes legacy Travelers Insurance Company/ legacy MetLife Insurance Company of CT structures)
Pacific Life (16)
Athene (19, includes former Aviva, CGNU and CGU Life structured settlement business)
Talcott Resolution (21, formerly known as Hartford Life)
Protective Life (26, reinsurer of Lincoln Life of Boston structured settlement business-formerly Liberty LIfe of Boston)
Genworth (30, roll up and spin off of First Colony, American Mayflower, GE Capital Assurance Company, GE Capital Life Assurance company of NY)
A Qualified Assignment and Release which includes the following, raises more questions than answers. If you see one it probably deserves a second opinion.
QUALIFIED ASSIGNMENT AND RELEASE
Defined Terms
Assignor:___________________ Qualified Settlement Fund, ( QSF may be adminstered by company related to settlement planner)
Assignee: Qualified Assignment Company related to the settlement planner.
Qualified Funding Asset:Annuity
Issuer of Qualified Funding Asset : Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
12. In exchange for "legal payment rights" pursuant to 5891 of the IRC, to the Periodic Payments specified in Paragraph 15. Claimant hereby releases and discharges the defendants and/or respondents with regard to the Periodic Payments, and agrees to only look to (name of Assignment Company owned by settlement planner firm holding company)
SIDE BAR (sponsored by "What's Your Vector Victor?")
Why is the Clamaint releasing and discharging "Defendants and/or Respondents" in the settlement planner's Qualified Assignment and Release document from a QSF? Wouldn't the "Defendants and/or Respondents" have been released and discharged when the money was deposited in the QSF under the "resolve or satisfy" clause in § 1.461-2(c)(2)?
13. In the event of notice of an application to any court for the transfer of the payment rights under this agreement, (name of Assignment Companyowned by settlement planner firm holding company) reserves the right to effectuate an immediate transfer of ownership of the "Qualified Funding Asset"
Metropoltan Life Will Not Issue a Structured Settlement Annuity to a Settlement Planning Firm's Assignment Company
This author has confirmed with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, that Metropolitan Life Insurance Company WILL NOT issue a structured settlement annuity to a qualified assignment company other than its own. Furthermore, since MetLife spun off its retail division to form Brighthouse, a transition which was finalized August 7, 2017, MetLife does not issue retail annuities.
Factored Structured Settlement Payments Bought as an Investment Are Not An Annuity
The acquistion of someone elses' structured settlement payment rights is not the purchase of a structured settlement annuity, in accordance with National Association of Insurance commissioner (NAIC) Statutory Issue Paper No. 160, or an annuity under the laws of most states. In 37 states, investors in other people's structured settlement payment rights do not have the same statutory protections.
What is a Qualified Funding Asset?
According to IRC 130(d)
"For purposes of this section, the term "qualified funding asset" means any annuity contract issued by a company licensed to do business as an insurance company under the laws of any State, or any obligation of the United States, if—
(1) such annuity contract or obligation is used by the assignee to fund periodic payments under any qualified assignment,
(2)the periods of the payments under the annuity contract or obligation are reasonably related to the periodic payments under the qualified assignment , and the amount of any such payment under the contract or obligation does not exceed the periodic payment to which it relates,
(3)such annuity contract or obligation is designated by the taxpayer (in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe) as being taken into account under this section with respect to such qualified assignment, and
(4)such annuity contract or obligation is purchased by the taxpayer not more than 60 days before the date of the qualified assignment and not later than 60 days after the date of such assignment".
It is clear from the plain reading of IRC 130(d) that obligation refers to any obligation of the United States. So the puzzle is what is the settlement planner getting the payee into here?
If you would like more information on the essentials of structured settlement documentation, this video may be helpful.
It's Your Settlement and Everyone Wants Your Money Now
Personal injury victims may face the post settlement dilemma of "It's Your Settlement and Everyone Wants Your Money Now". It may feel isolating at times. Working with a settlement expert who is also a Certified Financial Transitionist can be helpful to help you manage expectations of family, friends and others and to help sort through, organize, prioritize and help make it easier to process your options. John Darer from 4structures.com LLC, a Settlement planning expert and Certified Financial Transitionist, covers the issues in this introductory video.
What is a Certified Financial Transitionist (CeFT)?
CeFT holders are experienced financial professionals who understand how life transitions change financial situations. It is a level up designation in that CeFT designees must also have earned and maintain at least one other highly respected professional designation such as the CFP, CIMA, ChFC, CDFA, CPWA, CPA/PFS, or CFA.
CeFTs have the comprehensive knowledge and skills necessary to guide clients through a variety of transitions. When they meet with clients, CeFT holders show empathy and know how to listen carefully to their unique needs and emotions so they can make appropriate recommendations.
During their 12-month training program through the Financial Transitionist Institute,a division of the Sudden Money Institute, CeFTs become well-versed in the four stages of transition and use them and different tools to guide their clients through a successful transition during the uncertain and often chaotic times they’re facing. CeFT's have ongoing education requirements to maintain their skills and fluency in the subject matter.
With their support, you’ll be able to make smart financial decisions that lead to a happy future and help you avoid money problems down the road. Unlike a traditional financial advisor, a CeFT will understand the emotional side of your situation and keep it top of mind when they make recommendations and guide you through your transition.
They can prevent you from making emotional, rather than logical financial choices that take a toll on your finances. Whether you’re anticipating a life transition or found yourself facing one unexpectedly, a CeFT can be a valuable resource and thinking partner.
Pacific Life & Annuity Services, Inc. redomiciled from Colorado to Missouri effective July 1, 2022
Pacific Life & Annuity Services, Inc., is the qualified assignment company for all Pacific Life branded structured settlements and include underwriting companies Pacific Life Insurance Company in all states but New York and Pacific Life & Annuity Company for all Pacific Life funded structured settlements where there are touch points to New York. [e.g. New York litigants, litigation in New York Courts]
Pacific Life is a Leading Issuer of Structured Settlement Annuities
On June 22, 2022, rating agency A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa” (Superior) of Pacific Life Insurance Company and Pacific Life & Annuity Company (collectively referred to as Pacific Life Group). The companies are leading issuers of structured settlement annuities, the latter company being Pacific Life’s structured settlement annuity issuer in the state of New York. Both companies are headquartered in Newport Beach, CA.
Additionally, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “a” (Excellent) of the group’s intermediate holding company, Pacific LifeCorp (Wilmington, DE). AM Best also has affirmed the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR) of Pacific LifeCorp. PacificLife Corp serves as the guarantor of Pacific Life and Annuity Services, Inc., the Missouri domiciled company that serves as the qualified assignee for periodic payment obligations under qualified assignments pursuant to IRC §130(c)and which purchases and owns Pacific Life structured settlement annuities as qualified funding assets pursuant to IRC §130(d)
The A.M. Best outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
The ratings reflect Pacific Life Group’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and very strong enterprise risk management (ERM). Pacific Life’s balance sheet is supported by a very strong level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), and its history of positive earnings trends, which are supported by being one of the industry’s leading sales organizations in its key product lines. The favorable business profile assessment reflects its prominence as a leader in the affluent market segment.
Pacific Life offers competitively priced fixed structured settlement annuities, medically underwritten life contingent structured settlement annuities, index linked structured settlement annuities (ILAPA) and has a variable structured settlement annuity in development. Pacific Life & Annuity Company also issues structured judgment annuities in New York cases.
2022 marks the fifth consecutive year Pacific Life has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. Pacific Life was evaluated on five categories, including its ethics and compliance program; culture of ethics; environmental and societal impact; corporate governance; and leadership and reputation. The Ethisphere Institute, which honors companies demonstrating exceptional ethics-focused programs and practices. Pacific Life was one of 11 insurance and financial service industry honorees.
We're pleased to have a business relationship with USAA Life Insurance Company . The San Antonio based USAA was founded June 20,1922 by a group of soldiers to take care of their own. Over the years the USAA customer base has explanded.
USAA Structured Settlement Annuity Issuer
Today the A++(Superior) A.M. Best rated insurer has become a highly respected issuer of structured settlement annuities for a wide spectrum of claimants, particularly competitive for use as a qualified funding asset to fund long duration cash flows as payment of damages in on personal physical injury, physical sickness and wrongful death in medical malpractice, aviation, trucking, maritime and other types of legal settlements.
USAA ranks 25th on Fortune’s2022 list of the world’s most admired companies. The ranking is based on the magazine’s poll of about 3,700 corporate executives, corporate directors, and business analysts.
USAA ranks 96th in the 2022 US Fortune 500 and 330th in the Global Fortune 500.
USAA is one of the Wards 50 Life & Health Insurers for 2021 (29 years).
Watch a short video about the history of USAA, immediately below
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 which specializes in assessing mortality risk to price its life insurance and annuity products. 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 2025 Which life insurance companies issue structured settlement annuities in 2025? 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 November 3, 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 2025 In 2025, you can structure your settlement payments in various ways. A structured settlement allows for multiple payment types within one agreement. You can tailor and merge different structured settlement payments to suit your individual needs, either alone or alongside other financial instruments. If desired, diversify your structured settlement by utilizing multiple annuity issuers, treasury-funded structured settlements, index-linked structured settlement payments, and market-based structured options.
Structured Attorney Fees for Tax Deferral for Attorney Contingency Fees Structured attorney fees offer a financial strategy that provides a unique method for deferring taxes for attorneys and their firms. Attorneys can structure or defer their legal fees independently of whether the plaintiff structures their settlement. There are various ways to structure attorney fees, including capped or uncapped index-linked structured settlement annuities with payments adjusted according to the S&P 500 or another index's positive changes. Trial lawyers might also opt for a special deferred payment/compensation arrangement if they seek market-based returns without a cap. As the year-end approaches, consider adding structured attorney fee specialist John Darer® to your settlement planning team for 2025.
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 December 9, 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.
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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.
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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
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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
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"Amen - and continued thanks for your vigilance, John"- RL 8/18/2011
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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
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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
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"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
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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.
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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.
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