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.
recent posts
- Structured Settlement Annuity Guarantees Help Financial Peace of Mind
- How Sheron Jones Was Exploited — And Why D.C.’s Failure to Mandate IPA in SSPA Enabled It
- Attorney Fee Structured Settlement Factoring
- One Year Later: The Structured Settlement–to–Bitcoin Anniversary Nobody Is Celebrating
- SettlementDecisions Episode 4: Purports to be a Directory-Delivers Spam Instead
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Category: San Jose Settlement Planning
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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…
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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.
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A deep dive into just how settlement planners have marketed other people’s structured settlement payments as investments, to trial lawyers, their injured clients, conservators, trustees and the Courts has revealed some pretty scary stuff that should give judges, fiduciaries and lawyers pause.
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IRS has issued Chief Counsel advice 200922041 which offers guidance on the meaning of “disabled” as it relates to IRC 72(m)(7), the disability exception to the 10%, pre 59 1/2 distribution penalties from IRAs and annuities (the use of “annuities” in this case does not include structured settlement annuities).
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The American College has enhanced the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation, now requiring nine college-level courses starting October 1, 2009. This includes elements of the CFP certification and specialized electives. Established in 1982, the ChFC® signifies a high standard of knowledge in financial planning, distinct from the CFP credential.