Structured Settlements 4Real®Blog 2026

Structured settlements expert John Darer reviews the latest structured settlements and settlement planning information and news, and provides expert opinion and highly regarded commentary. that is spicy, Informative, irreverent and effective for over 20 years.

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The STRUCTURED SETTLEMENTS 4REAL® Blog is a highly regarded source for structured settlement news, information, and commentary, led by structured settlement and settlement planning subect mater expert John Darer CLU ChFC MSSC CeFT RSP CLTC. With two decades of operation, the blog and 4structures.com are recognized as comprehensive resources, offering detailed guides and specialized insights. Established in 2005, the blog caters to a broad audience, including legal professionals, injured individuals, families, and various stakeholders, providing reviews and opinions on settlement planning. John Darer, President of 4structures.com LLC, is a seasoned structured settlement expert with over 40 years of financial services experience and 31 years specializing in structured settlements. Based in Stamford, CT, he is a Certified Financial Transitionist and Registered Settlement Planner, holding insurance licenses in 45 states and the District of Columbia. John Darer is dedicated to transparency and advocacy, he emphasizes the importance of engaging trained and licensed professionals for settlement planning, offering valuable insights through his investigative journalism and professional commentary.

Washington Square Financial, LLC… The New “Shimmer”?

by John Darer CLU ChFC CSSC

Is Washington Square Financial, LLC searching for an identity or is it a modern day version of 70's era
"Shimmer"?

  • According to a press release dated September 10, 2007, Washington Square, LLC is a specialty finance company that purchases structured settlement payment rights and certain annuities from individuals

Then it refers to itself variously as:

  • Washington Square Financial Structured Settlement Company (FYI…it isn't)
  • Washington Square Financial Financial Service Company

How about the Washington Square Financial promotion of the industry it is in?

  • In relation to its Executive Vice President/General Counsel, Andrew S. Hillman…"Hillman was instrumentally involved in the development of the structured settlement funding industry"
  • "Hillman was managing director and CEO of Specialty Asset Advisors, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in advising the structured settlement factoring industry".
  • "Mr.  (Benjamin E.) Gomez experience in the structured settlement advanced funding industry…  from October 4, 2007 press release announcing appointment of Gomez as Counsel.

Reminds me of an old Saturday Night Live skit featuring the actors Chevy Chase, Dan Ackroyd and the late Gilda Radner, written by Elliot Gould:

"Wife: New Shimmer is a floor wax!

Husband: No, new Shimmer is a dessert  topping!

Wife: It's a floor wax!

Husband: No it's a dessert topping you cow!

Spokesman: Hey, hey, hey, calm down, you two, new Shimmer is both a floor wax AND a dessert topping! Here I'll spray some on your mop…and some on your butterscotch pudding"

Then there's the misleading Internet come on:

"Washington Square Financial Makes the most" of your structured settlement money now by buying your annuity payment, giving you a lump sum settlement". Meta description deliberately coded into Washington Financial web site that is picked up by search engines.

Of course it's NOT lump sum settlement it's a structured settlement factoring transaction. "Lump sum settlement" is not a defined term under IRC 5891.

Postscript

To add to the confusion Wsashington Square Financial was renamed Imperial Structured Settlements in September 2008.

 

 

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