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: US Department of Justice

  • What is Perjury and Why Should YOU Care?

    The Declaration that is required to be signed by Structured Settlement Annuity Brokers wishing to get on the United States Department of Justice list requires it be made under penalty of perjury. Exactly what is perjury? According to Wikipedia: "Perjury is the act of lying or making verifiably false statements on a material matter under…

  • USDOJ Releases August Update to List of Annuity Brokers

    The United States Department of Justice Civil Division (USDOJ) released its August 2007 Update to the Calendar Year list of Annuity Brokers on August 2, 2007. According to the accompanying memorandum from Phyllis Piles, FTCA Staff*, the list includes annuity brokers "who meet minimum qualifications for providing annuity brokerage services in connection with structured settlements…

  • Is Buffalo Bair Being Fair to United States Department of Justice?

    It is clear from the Final Rule that the USDOJ has the list of structured settlement annuity brokers because it wishes United States Attorneys to be able to have frank and confidential discussions with its brokers.

  • What Does “Exclusive Broker” Mean To You?

    Three Questions on Exclusive Broker If you follow the logic it means that you hold yourself out to only work with plaintiffs to the exclusion of all others, right?  If so, is it acceptable to have a substantial “defense mistress” on the side? Forge Consulting, LLC is about to be feted as one of the…

  • USDOJ Structured Settlement Brokers

    Public Law 107-273, the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Act,  provides: `Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall establish a list of annuity brokers who meet minimum qualifications for providing annuity brokerage services in connection with structured settlements entered by the United States. Part…

  • Bracy’s Impassioned Whine Is Wrong Approach to Factoring US Government Owned Structured Annuities

    Matt Bracy has accepted that his factoring company and other structured settlement factors made a significant investment in efforts to challenge the USA to dismantle structured settlements, and “courts across the country have determined they (the United States government) are correct.”

  • A Question of Honor

    In business today the words honor, integrity and federal and state regulations are something to take seriously. On June 22, 2006 I wrote a post about the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) structured settlement program. At the time I observed that certain structured settlement brokers who hold themselves out, to plaintiffs and plaintiff attorneys,…

  • J. G. Wentworth In Big Ole Bucket of ‘ Kentucky Fried Butt Kickin’ From Uncle Sam

    Due to extensive efforts of the United States Department of Justice, structured settlements offered as part of resolution cases under the Federal Tort Claims Act are the only annuity funded structured settlements that cannot be factored.

  • Does John Edwards’ Albatross weigh a ton?

    Several years ago during a trip through the Galapagos Islands my companions and I had a memorable stop on the island of Espanola to see the unique mating ritual of the waved albatross, a rare and majestic sea bird with an over 9 foot wing span. The bird is renowned for its soaring capabilities and…

  • Sovereign Immunity Is Major Roadblock for Structured Settlement Factoring Transactions

    Sovereign immunity has become a major roadblock to the factoring industry's purchase of structured settlement payment rights.  Several recent cases frame the United States's government's claim its sovereign powers over attempts to complete structured settlement factoring transactions where the United States is the structured settlement obligor. The United States government has sovereign immunity and may…