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.

Category: Insurance Company News

  • The First Colony Life and American Mayflower Merger with Genworth Life Companies

    The First Colony Life and American Mayflower Merger with Genworth Life Companies

    Genworth, a spinoff from the old GE Financial Assurance group and at the time of publishing, through its underwriting companies, was a substantial player in the structured settlement annuity market in addition to periodic payment assumption reinsurance.

  • Puget Soundings

    This year there have been a number of posts, on this blog and others, questioning the wisdom of Symetra Financial (formerly SAFECO) and its handling of the establishment of a factoring company, Clearscape Financial. Boo Symetra and Boo Hoo Too! A Question of Symetra Few Trial Lawyers Approve of Structured Settlement Transfers Symetra v Rapid…

  • The Water Buffaloes or Oz?

    The Water Buffaloes or Oz?

    Jack Meligan, President of Settlement Professionals, Inc., criticized the author for insufficiently addressing Symetra’s entry into factoring and Allstate’s AFEN. After sharing articles, Meligan apologized but still questioned Allstate’s practices. The author clarified that Allstate’s AFEN offers an alternative to annuitants, emphasizing its non-predatory stance while Meligan’s criticisms lacked specifics.

  • News of Symetra Life Withdrawal From NSSTA Hits The Street

    Earlier today Symetra Life Insurance Company announced that it is withdrawing its membership in the National Structured Settlement Trade Association (NSSTA). One way or another, the move was bound to happen as Symetra’s forward business model is in conflict with NSSTA’s by laws and resigning was a sensible thing to do. Symetra’s business model includes…

  • AIG story is positive if you read past the headline

    Before the cynics start making more out of this than it is lets discuss today's Business Insurance report about American International Group Inc. ("AIG") announcement of a 15.9% drop to $3.2 billion in first quarter 2006 profits, due in part to special charges taken in the quarter. AIG President and Chief Executive Officer Martin J.…

  • Clearscape Funding | Symetra Was Asked To Clearly and Publicly Disclose the Relationship

    What I’ve been calling for is for Clearscape and Symetra to clearly and publicly disclose the relationship.That was certainly a reasonable expectation.

  • New Non Qualified Assignment Facility from Pruco

    More details have emerged concerning Pruco Assignment Corporation, a partnership with which enables Prudential Financial, through us and other appointed structured settlement brokers, to offer non qualified assignments. As I announced in my post about Pruco late Friday afternoon more details would be forthcoming and here they are: Like the NABCO (Allstate) and BARCO (Liberty) facilities,…

  • Prudential Announces Non Qualified Assignment Facility

    Prudential Financial has partnered with Pruco Assignment Corporation to offer services for Non-Qualified Assignments and Structured Settlements, effective April 28, 2006. This new facility will handle assignments in various cases, expanding beyond existing providers. More details will be announced next week, emphasizing the need for licensed insurance producers for obtaining services.

  • Symetra! Be Clear About Clearscape!

    Together with other structured settlement brokers I received the following from Randall Talbott CEO of Symetra Financial… Dear Valued Partner: Today I am pleased to announce that our 2005 annual report is now available online. As you read through our report, you’ll notice that the theme focuses on Symetra Financial’s readiness to take flight. Our…

  • AIG Posts Year over Year Profit Increase of 6.5%, despite Spitzer settlement!

    by John Darer CLU ChFC CSSC RSP Recently, a few attorneys have expressed concerns regarding the impact of the Spitzer settlement on AIG prompting me to address this issue in a new post. topic was partially discussed in a previous post on February 10, 2006, where I noted that the settlement amount, though substantial, did…