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.
Inheriting a Structured Settlement: What You Need to Know

Inheriting a Structured Settlement: What You Need to Know

by Structured Settlement Watchdog

Can a Structured Settlement be Inherited?

It’s a simple enough structured settlement beneficiary question, but if you seek an answer  from Atlanta based factor Silver Dollar Financial, you might swear you were at the word salad bar separating snow pea pods.

animated man at the word salad bar trying to separate peas from snow peapods and getting frustrated at the task with steam coming from his ears. The word salad bar features smiling flying tomatoes, cheesy cheese text and large multi colored gummy candy letters highlighting word salad bar
There’s a simple explanation in there somewhere, but you don’t need the “Silver Dollar” lining

Lettuce Begin: Croutons and All…

“When a loved one with a structured settlement passes awy, what happens to it? If you were listed to receive the structured settlement, you can inherit it after the death of the original owner. Structured settlements are inheritable so long as there is a will or other legal provisison that allows you o take ownership of it” claims Silver Dollar Financial website on May 24, 2024. Silver Dollar’s explanation was deficient.

What Really Happens?

When you or a loved one dies with a structured settlement

If the periodic payment obligations under a structured settlement agreement (and the likely qualified assignment agreement) have remaining certain payments, and/or remaining guaranteed lump sum payments, those payments survive the death of the payee under the structured settlement,
  • Nobody is “listed”. Not a list such as 1 large container of Tide, 1 large box of Poop Like a Champion, Aunt Mary, a lab grown corn beef sandwich and the proverbial kettle of fish.  They are named, as in Payee named in annuity policy or named beneficiary, or named beneficiaries, 
  • A structured settlement is a form of settlement in which at least part of the consideration for the settlement involves an obligation to make future periodic payments.
  • The majority of structured settlements involve a qualified assignment agreement, pursuant to IRC 130(c), in which the obligation to make future periodic payments under a settlement agreement is assigned to a qualified assignment company.
  • The qualified assignment company may purchase an annuity to fund the obligation it assumes to make periodic payments to the payee with funds it has received from defendant (and/or defendant’s insurer) concurrent with the time of the qualified assignment as set forth in IRC 130(d). 
  • The qualified funding asset is not owned by the original Payee and the Payee only has the rights to receive periodic payments as payments as damages. The qualified assignment company has all rights of ownership in the qualified funding asset. Therefore you can’t take ownership of the qualified funding asset, whether it an annuity or a trust holding United States Treasury Obligations.

    • Silver Dollar Financial isn’t a Georgia Registered Structured Settlement Purchase Company 

    See Registered SSPCs.xlsx (ga.gov). which at time of this blog’s publishing was last updated May 9, 2024. The list is maintained by the Georgia Secretary of State.

    Silver Dollar Financial’s Office Address Stated on Its Website, Virtual Office Space

    Rent Office Space in Atlanta US on 3455 Peachtree Road North East, The Pinnacle Building

    Sparse Regulatory Framework Assures Challenges for Sellers and Investors

    The limited regulatory oversight of the structured settlement secondary market creates challenges for both sellers and investors in obtaining accurate information. This market comprises purchasers who may lack professional licenses, hold no formal credentials, and whose conduct is not consistently held to the standards governing other financial professions.

    My interest, as Structured Settlement Watchdog is to see that all consumers have accurate information about structured settlements

    Structured Settlement Beneficiary | Why It’s Important (4structures.com) How to name a structured settlement beneficiary.Find the answers to many questions such as:

    • Why name a beneficiary?
    • When can you name a beneficiary oof your annuity or structured settlement?
    • How to name a beneficiary of your structured settlement
    • Special considerations when naming a non-US citizen, or non-resident as beneficiary of a structured settlement or annuity

    Structured Settlement Beneficiary Designations (4structures.com) March 24, 2021 Updated August 23, 2025

    Understand the Beneficiary Mantra, Why it’s imprtant to follow up and obtain confirmation of beneficaries with the annuity issuer.

    Inherited a Structured Settlement: Guide for Beneficiaries

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