The Structured Settlement Industry
Structured settlements provide injured individuals and their families with a reliable source of income over time. They are often preferred over lump-sum payouts for a variety of reasons.
In addition, structured settlements are considered tax-free by the IRS and have a cooling-off period. This helps to ensure that an individual is fully informed before making a decision about selling their structured settlement.
Recipients of structured settlements
A structured settlement is a negotiated contract that provides periodic payments to personal injury victims, wrongful death survivors and their families. It can be designed to cover a number of needs, such as paying overdue bills, buying needed items or providing a substitute for lost income.
The Federal Periodic Payment Settlement Act of 1982 established structured settlements as an alternative to lump-sum settlements. The idea behind structured settlements is that they encourage better money management and avoid the problem of spending a large sum of money too quickly, which could diminish long-term financial stability.
Most structured settlements are funded with an annuity, which provides regular payments over a set period of time. The annuity can be structured so that the recipient receives higher payments in the first years and lower ones as time goes by. The payments can be postponed or even increased, if necessary.
Some recipients of structured settlements choose to cash out the payments in order to obtain liquidity for unforeseen expenses, medical debts or large purchases. This may help them reduce their stress levels and get back on their feet financially faster.
However, these individuals should be careful when they do so. Many factors must be taken into account before making this decision, including their health status, age and other factors.
Another issue to consider is whether the person receiving the structured settlement will be able to manage it well. People who have difficulty managing large amounts of money often don’t make the most of their settlements. They might spend it on questionable investments or luxury goods that they do not need, and the funds can be depleted.
For this reason, it is important to have a plan in place for the receipt of these payments. Recipients should talk with a financial advisor to determine the best way to use these funds.
Recipients also need to be aware of how the proceeds of a structured settlement are transferred to another party. This can happen in several ways, such as through the sale of a structured settlement annuity.
If the recipient dies before their annuity payments are redeemed, the remaining amount is paid to a designated beneficiary, usually a family member or friend. This is a process that must be outlined in the initial contract.
Annuity companies
If you are a recipient of a structured settlement, you may be contacted by annuity companies that offer to purchase your future settlement payments for a fee. Typically, these companies will charge a discount rate that ranges between 9 and 18 percent of the settlement’s worth.
While these purchases are a great way to get cash in advance of your contract schedules, it is important to know what you’re getting into. Selling your payments can put you at risk of being scammed or taken advantage of by unscrupulous buyers who may not be able to deliver on their promises.
As a result, you should always work with an experienced and trusted structured settlement company to ensure that you receive all of the funds you are entitled to and can achieve your immediate and long-term financial goals. At Atlas Settlement Group, we have decades of experience, a reputation for providing superior service and more than $5.5 billion in premiums placed.
Regardless of the reason for your settlement, a structured annuity is an excellent option to consider because it offers guaranteed payments and tax advantages. It also allows you to choose the amount of each payment and how much you want to receive in a lump sum, which can help you meet your immediate needs.
Structured annuities are a great choice for many people, including those who want to fund the purchase of a home or to assist loved ones financially. They can also be used to pay for medical bills and other large expenses that are not covered by other forms of insurance or income.
These companies are often aggressive in their marketing and can be misleading if you are not careful about your selection. If you are unsure about your choices, it is a good idea to talk with an independent tax advisor or attorney to learn more about the benefits of using structured settlements.
As a licensed broker, I understand that these offers are not just being made by the annuity companies themselves. Some of them are now reaching out directly to financial advisors (who have access to their clients’ investment dollars), which is an interesting development. However, it is still unclear to me whether these offerings are a legitimate business or just an attempt to make more money for the broker/dealer involved.
Purchasing companies
Purchasing companies purchase structured settlement payments at a discount rate. This is a service that was developed in the 1990s in the lottery industry and has since expanded to include many other types of future payments.
Buying companies offer consumers a quote based on their own personal information and the number of payments they want to sell. You can get a quote from an online search or by calling the company directly.
The selling process can take several weeks. In some cases, the company may advance the seller a certain amount of money until the sale is complete. Once the sale is completed, the company will recoup that advance and pay the seller the rest of the money.
A company that purchases structured settlements at a discount rate is called a factoring company. They buy the rights to future payments from people who may need cash right away, such as for medical bills or home modifications.
These companies often charge between 9% and 18% of the total value of the payments they purchase. This is the fee that they receive for their services, and it helps them turn a profit.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should trust just any factoring company. The best way to avoid getting scammed is to make sure that you do your research and compare the quotes offered by different purchasing companies.
In addition to a lower discount rate, you should also consider whether the buying company offers a dedicated representative who will assist you throughout the selling process. This can help you stay calm and focused during the transaction.
It can also be helpful to find out if the company is a member of the National Association of Settlement Purchasers, which works to improve awareness and understanding of the buying and selling of structured settlement payments. This trade organization also ensures transparency and fairness in the secondary market.
Finally, be sure that the purchasing company you choose can handle all the legal paperwork and court approval for you. Most states have laws that require the sale of structured settlements to be reviewed by a judge before it can be finalized. These laws, known as Structured Settlement Protection Acts, exist to protect consumers and verify that proposed transactions are in the best interests of settlement holders.
Sellers of structured settlements
Structured settlements are a great way to receive periodic payments instead of a lump sum payment. They allow recipients to customize their payments based on their needs and personal preferences. Whether they choose to receive regular payments or allow their funds to grow as an annuity, they can rest assured that the money will be there for them.
Many people who receive structured settlements find themselves in need of extra cash. They may have medical bills, credit card debt, or other financial emergencies that require an immediate cash injection.
Fortunately, there are companies that specialize in purchasing structured settlements at discount rates. These companies, often referred to as factoring companies, offer structured settlement recipients flexible access to their money.
The key to finding the right seller of structured settlements is doing your research and comparing quotes from multiple trustworthy buyers. A reputable buyer will provide you with multiple quotes and answer your questions clearly and promptly.
One thing to keep in mind is that, as with any transaction, you will need a judge’s approval before selling your structured settlement. A judge will need to be convinced that selling your structured settlement is in your best interest and the best interests of your dependents.
For example, if you need cash to purchase a home, a judge will be more likely to sign off on the sale if you can show that it’s necessary for you to own your own home or that the house is essential for your family’s financial well-being. You should also be able to demonstrate that your financial situation will improve by having the money from the sale available to pay for your home.
You should also look for a company that has a good reputation for customer service and is willing to meet with you in person. This will help ensure that you get the information you need and are not pressured into making a decision without fully understanding the process.
In addition, many factoring companies will give you a temporary advance while court approval is being finalized. This allows you to pay your living expenses and other bills until the court approves the sale and the factoring company closes. However, be aware that this advance can be lost if the court does not approve the sale.
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