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
- 🔥Founder and Former CEO of 777 Partners, Joshua Wander, Pleads Guilty⚖️ to $500 Million Fraud Scheme — DOJ Confirms Double‑Pledging, Misappropriation of Structured‑Settlement Funds, and Falsified Bank Statements
- The Steering Problem Needs a Wake‑Up Call
- Companies Still Using the Incorrect Term “Secondary Market Annuity”
- Canonical: Non‑Qualified Assignment (NQA)
- ⭐ THE 18–25 GUIDE TO STRUCTURED SETTLEMENTS
about
Category: Structured Settlements 101
A clear, foundational introduction to structured settlements — what they are, how they work, why they exist, and how they fit into the broader ecosystem of settlement planning, annuity funding, financial security, and claimant protection. This category distills essential concepts for attorneys, claimants, adjusters, and financial professionals, combining straight‑facts education with the watchdog‑style clarity and humor your readers expect.
It covers:
What structured settlements are and how they provide long‑term financial security for injury victims and litigants.
How structured settlements work, including diagrams, flow charts, and explanations of the process from settlement negotiation to annuity funding.
Types of structured settlement payments, rate lock‑ins, IRR comparisons, taxable‑equivalent yield charts, and other financial literacy tools.
The role of annuity companies, including financial ratings, issuer lists, and market performance data from major carriers such as MetLife, Prudential, New York Life, Pacific Life, Symetra, and others.
Industry best practices, regulatory considerations, advertising ethics, and common pitfalls — including improper credentials, misleading marketing, and compliance issues.
Historical and market context, including production data, insurer rankings, and long‑term financial stability indicators.
This category serves as the definitive starting point for anyone seeking a reliable, fact‑checked, and professionally grounded understanding of structured settlements — without the misinformation, hype, or “cash‑now” noise that pollutes the web.
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Structured settlements today can be funded through several different financial instruments. Each one has its own mechanics, tax treatment, and crediting method. This guide explains the four funding families and the two crediting philosophies that define the modern structured settlement ecosystem. 1. What a Structured Settlement Is A structured settlement is the payment agreement that…
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A structured settlement lock-in (or lock in) means that the structured settlement annuity issuer will guarantee the cost of a structured settlement, including the specific payment stream in exchange for the “quid pro quo” of a commitment to accept or purchase.
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How do you obtain a structured settlement quote? What are the types of structured settlement quotes? Speak to a true structured settlement broker, expert or consultant and not a factoring company or cash flow company representative masquerading under any of these terms.
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A structured settlement annuity is a type of annuity used as a qualified funding asset to fund periodic payments in consideration for a release in the settlement of lawsuits. A structured settlement annuity is issued by a life insurance company and can only legally be placed by licensed agents/brokers
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A business entity cannot suffer a personal injury within the meaning of IRC § 104(a)(2),. See P & X Markets, Inc. v. Commissioner, 106 T.C. 441 (1996), aff’d in unpublished order,Source: Lawsuits, Awards, and Settlements Audit Techniques Guide (Internal Revenue Service Rev.5/11/)
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A Qualified Assignment Release and Pledge Agreement is a legal document, the execution of which sets the 2nd stage of a structured settlement transaction in motion, in the context of personal injury or wrongful death settlements where there is a desire for the Payee to have secured party status.
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Work with a credentialed and experienced settlement planner to explore your options before signing any settlement agreement and release.
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A settlement planner claims, “If the money is placed in a traditional investment, then any growth is subject to income taxes.” This statement is not entirely accurate, as it overlooks capital investments that generate capital gains when comparing traditional investments to structured settlements.
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Structured settlements provide sustainable income for injury victims and their families. Sustainable income is income which is consistent and steady over time. Sustainable income provides a level of calm and clarity while things are in flux and pave the road to the new normal.
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A structured settlement is a financial arrangement where a claimant receives part of their compensation as periodic payments instead of a lump sum, often following a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Governed by specific IRS regulations, these settlements can be funded through life insurance companies or government obligations and offer tax benefits.