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.

about

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: Stowe Structured Settlements

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…
Structured Settlement Qualified Assignments | Bad to the Bone!

October 24, 2025

Is an Unassigned Structured Settlement a Spineless Jellyfish? Hardly! Uncle Sam does them.
Vermont LHGA to Exclude Structured Settlement Receivables Investors from Insurance Protections

May 16, 2023

Acquired structured settlement payment rights are not snnuities or insurance products.While insurance insolvencies are rare, they do happen. Investors are exposed when they invest in such receivables. I doubt that many of them are aware of this exposure.
What is the Tax Liability to Beneficiaries receiving Structured Settlement Payments?

January 16, 2014

Structured settlement payments can be tax-free for payees if they relate to qualified damages under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code, such as physical injury or workers compensation. Non-qualified settlements offer tax deferral, usually taxed upon receipt. Consulting a structured settlement advisor is recommended for proper establishment.
What is a Non Qualified Structured Settlement Used For?

April 10, 2012

Depending on the non qualified assignment facility used, non qualified structured settlements can be funded with annuities, United States Treasury obligations, professional money management (based on objective formula) and/or structured settlement payment rights.