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: Saving Money

  • Proposed Private Annuity Regs Enhance Allure of Structured Sales

    Today Allstate issued a memorandum to clarify confusion over the regulations recently issued by The United States Department of Treasury and the IRS over Private Annuity Trusts. Some, who have misinformed, thought the regulations applied to structured installment sales . I discussed third party issues and concerns over Private Annuity Trusts in an earlier blog…

  • How Long Can A Structured Settlement Last?

    How Long Can A Structured Settlement Last?

    A structured settlement can last as long as you want.

  • Before You Spend That Lump Sum!

    I often receive solicitations from the California Institute of Finance at California Lutheran University about its Financial Planning program. Today an excerpt from a Steve Vernon book caught my eye "Don’t consider your lump sum as money you can spend in retirement. I know this sounds weird, but stay with me for awhile. My worry…

  • What’s The Difference Between Structured Settlement Annuity and Insurance Annuity?

    A structured settlement annuity is an insurance annuity. Perhaps the question could be better posed as “how is a structured settlement annuity different from other annuities?” click and read our explanation

  • Food for thought on Wentworth AAA rating

    I have some food for thought, but first a question… why does JG Wentworth have a AAA rating for the securitization of structured settlement payments? Upon Court approval, JG Wentworth pays structured settlement annuitants "cash now" in return for their structured settlement payment rights. In other words they receive the factored (sold or transferred) structured…

  • What Can We Learn From The Lowitt Class Action?

    The class action suit** against Time, Inc. and its Billing Center over unfair trade practices, filed by Greenwich, Connecticut’s MIchael Lowitt on August 23, 2006, draws an interesting parallel to advertising by certain factoring companies in the State of Connecticut to the consumers of Connecticut (and other states.) In Michael Lowitt’s case he had paid…

  • Most People Have Trouble Estimating Appropriate Spending Levels

    by John Darer Most people have problem determining appropriate long term spending levels. Lack of education on the subject is clearly the root of the problem. Yet if left uncorrected, the long term ramifications of this deficiency could be a devastating impact on retirement, critical care or survivor financial security. According to a survey** conducted…

  • Structured Settlements FAQ, Ewe Are Wrong

    In any structured settlement proposal, you should be able to determine the cost of the settlement and the sum of future payments (and/or the expected amount in the case of lifetime payments) to know what your gain will be. Use the Internal Rate of Return to compare.

  • 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.

  • Growing Senior Use Of The Internet Justifies Need For More Protections!

    For those of you, including structured settlement brokers, settlement planners,  accountants, lawyers, judges,claim adjusters and regulators, who think that the Internet is not an important space for the education of structured settlement and settlement planning prospects and clients, think again!  Some eye catching statistics worthy of your consideration: 28% of Americans 65 and older use…