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: Workers Comp MSA

A Workers Comp MSA is a portion of Workers Comp settlement set aside for future medical expenses to pay for future medical expenses related toa  work injury, to ensure Medicare reians a secondary payer. Worker Comp MSAs (WCMSA) may be cash MSAs or they may be Structured MSAs.

Medicare Set Aside | How Structured MSA Saves | Why MSA?

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  • Can you Fund a Structured MSA With a “Secondary Market Annuity”?

    Can you Fund a Structured MSA With a “Secondary Market Annuity”?

    You cannot fund a Structured Medicare Set Aside with a “secondary market annuity”. You cannot fund a Medicare Set Asidet with a “secondary market annuity” because a “Secondary Market Annuity” is not an annuity. A “Secondary Market Annuity” is a scam label for structured settlement derivatives.

  • Understanding Rated Ages in WCMSA Proposals

    Understanding Rated Ages in WCMSA Proposals

    CMS clarified its requirements for rated age language in Workers Compensation Medicare Set Aside Proposals (WCMSA) in a recent memorandum. A revised certification is mandated, attesting that all relevant rated ages are included in WCMSA submissions. Acceptable proof must come from insurance carriers or settlement brokers to ensure compliance.

  • Workers Comp MSAs: CMS Rated Age Requirements are a Happy Median

    Workers Comp MSAs: CMS Rated Age Requirements are a Happy Median

    It is important to distinguish the use of rated age to “price out the WCMSA” in the CMS memo and the actual cost of the annuity if a structured MSA is used. The funder of the MSA will still be able to use the highest rated when it buys/funds the commercially available annuity for the…