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: San Francisco Structured Settlement Planning

Backed, Based On, Linked: A Clear, Carrier‑Neutral Guide to Index Terminology in Structured Settlements

May 10, 2026

by John Darer CLU ChFC MSSC CeFT RSP CLTC As more structured settlement designs reference external indices such as CPI‑U, the terminology used to describe them has expanded. Words like index‑linked, index‑based, and occasionally index‑backed appear in product materials and industry discussions, sometimes without clear differentiation. This brief guide provides a neutral, carrier‑friendly framework to…
Co‑Signing Without Signing: The Hidden Credit Traps That Can Derail Settlement Payees

February 28, 2026

The article discusses the dangers of hidden credit entanglements that can harm individuals, particularly injury victims and settlement payees. Co-signing occurs informally through arrangements like shared phone plans and utility accounts, leading to significant credit damage. This vulnerability is exploited by predatory actors, creating a cycle of financial distress and manipulation.
AnnuityPaymentFreedom Pans for “Structured Settlement Planning” Leads With No Bona Fides

January 9, 2025

If “we” is Jovan Johnson and the only way “we”(Johnson) get paid is “when a visitor to the AnnuityPaymentFreedom site contacts him to sell annuity payment rights”, how is that structured settlement planning?
SF Weekly Publishes the Dumbest Piece About Structured Settlements Ever

January 2, 2021

SF Weekly claims to be “San Francisco’s smartest publication. They claim to “take journalism seriously”. Where does taking in money from paid sponsors, enabling them to unload more crap than on the streets of San Francisco, intersect with “serious journalism”?
Are Structured Settlement Receivables a Qualified Funding Asset?

March 27, 2020

The article, by John Darer, discusses the complexities and potential legal issues surrounding factored structured settlement receivables as qualified funding assets. It raises concerns about misrepresentations of structured settlement payment rights, questioning the legitimacy of these agreements and their tax implications under Internal Revenue Code. The author urges readers to seek clarification and professional advice.