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: Phoneix QSF

  • Petal One: Continuing Jurisdiction and the Newman Affidavit

    Petal One: Continuing Jurisdiction and the Newman Affidavit

    Continuing jurisdiction is one of the core requirements for a Qualified Settlement Fund under 26 C.F.R. §1.468B‑1. It must be real, ongoing, and supported by transparency. In this first petal, the July 16, 2025 Newman affidavit becomes the factual window into how that requirement functions when tested. A governmental authority attempting to perform its federal…

  • Qualified Settlement Funds Offer Flexibility — Not Unlimited Time

    Qualified Settlement Funds Offer Flexibility — Not Unlimited Time

    Qualified Settlement Funds (QSFs) offer temporary flexibility for plaintiffs but are not meant for prolonged use or speculative investments. Their purpose is to allow time for resolving liens and making informed decisions. However, misuse can arise through extended duration and inappropriate investment practices. QSFs should close once their objectives are met.

  • Can a Plaintiff Buy a Structured Settlement Annuity? ​

    Can a Plaintiff Buy a Structured Settlement Annuity? ​

    The notion that a qualfied settlement fund can purchase a structured settlement annuity is unsupportable and improbable, setting aside the settlement planner’s gaffe related to IRC 468(b), which relates to “Special rules for mining and solid waste reclamation and closing costs”..

  • Single Claimant QSF Investing in Structured Settlement Receivables, Is it Legit?

    Single Claimant QSF Investing in Structured Settlement Receivables, Is it Legit?

    Structured settlement receivables are often misleadingly marketed by promoters and settlement planners. Tax attorney Robert Wood warns against the potential misuse of Single Claimant Qualified Settlement Funds (QSFs) to defer payments for extended periods. He emphasizes the risks involved, particularly for minors or incapacitated persons, and highlights key misunderstandings regarding these financial products.