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

  • Think About The Bigger Picture When Using Statistics

    On May 11, 2006  I posted a piece which cautioned readers from rushing to judgment on an insurance company based on an odd statistic. In that piece, regarding a one-time AIG statistic, I pointed out significant positive news about the financials of the AIG company if you went past the attention drawing headline. Media is…

  • Structured Settlement Companies Among 2006 Fortune Most Admired

    Fortune’s 2006 America’s Most Admired Companies for the Life and Health Insurance Section in the 23rd year of the survey. 10,000 top industry executives, directors and securities analysts wereasked to rate (out of 10) more than 500 companies in over 60 industries in 8 reputation categories:

  • AM Best on Life/Health Insurer Exposure to Sub Prime

    A.M. Best has been monitoring the  insurance industry exposure in the subprime mortgage crisis since August 2007 According to the December 13, 2007 press release A.M. Best said  "Given the diversity of life/health insurers’ asset portfolios and their enhanced risk management practices, A.M. Best does not expect, at this time, to take negative rating actions…

  • New York Life Great New Longevity Resource

    New York Life Insurance Company, one of America’s oldest and most respected life insurance companies, and currently the only one in the structured settlement industry with both an A++ from AM Best and an Aaa from Moodys, has created a wonderful resource website called "Guarantees Matter" which deals with life longevity issues in retirement and…

  • AIG Claims Chief Rick Woollams Dishes on Structured Settlements

    AIG is committed as an institution to its structured settlement program because it’s the right thing to do, not because AIG’s other subsidiaries offer structured annuities. Woollams expressed indifference as to whether or not structured settlements were placed with AIG subsidiaries

  • Boo Symetra and Boo Hoo Too!

    Deeply offended, saddened and disappointed yesterday to receive, a package from Symetra about its factoring ambitions. Clearscape. the factoring company affiliate is expanding its reach beyond its own to structured settlement payment recipients of other structured annuity issuers.

  • Certain Claims Adjusters and Defense Attorneys Should Avoid Bad Logic

    by John Darer CLU ChFC MSSC RSP CLTC The civilized world of structured settlements as a settlement tool is occasionally hampered by the relics and remnants of a bygone era which include certain business practices by certain structured settlement brokers and certain claims adjusters that could ultimately be harmful to the settlement process on the…

  • Treasury Expected To Take Stake In Insurance Companies

    In a developing story the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that the United States Treasury Department is contemplating taking equity stakes in insurance companies. The Treasury Department wants insurance companies to participate in its TARP Program, according to WSJ sources briefed by Treasury. The TARP program is a voluntary Capital Purchase Program to encourage U.S.…

  • Aviva Life AmerUs Merger Now to Be Concluded in The Fall

    Aviva Structured Settlements announced June 2008 that the US entity consolidation between Aviva Life Insurance Company and AmerUS to form Aviva Life and Annuity Company, originally scheduled for Summer 2008, is now scheduled for Fall 2008

  • Met Life New Ad Campaign Makes Sense

    MetLife has a creative new ad campaign. Life, if belongs to you. Replace today’s uncertainties with certainties. Guarantees for the if in life Clearly insurance is all about risk. Some don’t like paying premiums because they don’t think they’ll ever get hurt, be in an accident, ever need long term care, die too soon, outlive…