Structured Settlements 4Real®Blog 2026

by John Darer CLU ChFC MSSC CeFT RSP CLTC

Why Professional Designations Matter in Structured Settlements and Settlement Planning

Let’s Take a Look

The designation of Chartered Life Underwriter (“CLU”) is a professional designation (granted by the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA)  that has long been recognized as the foremost professional credential in the industry for life insurance professionals (life insurance category includes annuities). According to the American College, since the CLU designation was created in 1927, approximately 106,000 professionals worldwide have earned their CLU. I am proud to say that I am one of them. Candidates must pass a 10 course curriculum which includes the following :

• Types of insurance
• Individual life insurance
• Needs analysis, surrender options, and
  illustrations; settlement options
• Net and gross premiums/reserves
• Surrender values, surplus, and dividends
• Impaired lives underwriting
• Formation of the contract
• Waiver, estoppel, and election
• Policy provisions
• Premiums
• Policy transfers
• Transfers of property at death
• Estate administration
• Lifetime transfers
• Federal estate and gift taxation
• Valuation of assets and buy-sell
  agreements
• Computation of federal estate tax,
  and income-tax issues
• Planning issues for business owners and professionals

The designation of Chartered Financial Consultant (“ChFC”) remains the most extensive education available for professionals seeking a designation in financial planning

According to the American College, more than 41,000 professionals have attained the ChFC professional designation, enabling them to effectively apply a comprehensive financial planning process to their clients’ needs. I am proud to say that I am one of those professionals. The ChFC program includes all of the courses in the American College’s CFP® Certification Curriculum, and builds on that knowledge with advanced coverage of estate, retirement, and financial planning applications

The professional certification of Certified Structured Settlement Consultant is a professional certification program of the National Structured Settlements Trade Association (NSSTA)

The CSSC program was hosted at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend Indiana (1994-2019). The CSSC education program has been hosted at the McCombs School at the University of Texas at Austin following the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Settlement professionals earn the CSSC in recognition of their successful completion of more than 60 hours of course study along with their passing a comprehensive examination covering such topics as insurance casualty claims practice, state and federal laws pertaining to tort settlements, medical reversionary, special needs and other types of trusts, macroeconomics, the art of negotiation and business ethics. Several hundred settlement professionals world wide have earned the CSSC professional designation. I am proud to say that I am one of those professionals.

The professional certification of Master Structured Settlement Consultant (“MSSC”) is an up-level professional certification program of the National Structured Settlements Trade Association

The MSSC program began in 2014 in conjunction with the Stayer Education Center at the University of Notre Dame.  I was one of the inaugural MSSC class! Post-Pandemic, the MSSC education program has been hosted  in conjunction with the Macombs School University of Texas at Austin.

Other settlement industry professionals may have have legal degrees such as the Juris Doctor (“J.D.”), or other professional designations such as the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (“CPCU”), Chartered Advisor in Senior Living (“CASL”), Certified in Long Term Care, Chartered Special Needs Consultant (“ChSNC”), Certified Financial transitionosit {“CeFT”) or may be registered with the Financial Industry Regulatpry Authority (FINRA) since July 30, 2007, the successor to NASD (1939-2007) as a Series, 6, 7, 63 or 66. I will cover these and other in another post.

Pursuing Intellectual and Professional Excellence is a Commendable Objective for Settlement Experts

• Pursuing further education is a commendable objective for any settlement professional you are considering retaining to assist you or your clients.
• Structured settlement brokerage and settlement planning are highly specialized niches within the broader financial services industry.
• This field has always exhibited, and will continue to exhibit, dynamic characteristics, making it essential that the professional you select remains well-informed and current.

***CLU, ChFC, MSFS and CASL are registered trademarks of The American College. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner in the U.S.A., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. CSSC and MSSC are registered trademarks of the National Structured Settlements Trade Association.

Last updated April 19, 2026