How a structured settlement annuity works

A Structured Settlement is essentially an agreement under which an insurance company agrees to pay an individual a predetermined amount of cash for a fixed length of time if the individual meets an accident. The documents generated in a structured settlement include an agreement, a qualified assignment, an annuity application, a court order if a claim is made by a minor, and an annuity policy.

Payments for a structured settlement annuity can be made for the duration of the life of the claimant. The amount paid can comprise of equal installments, installments of varying amounts, and lump sums. The payments from a Structured Settlement Annuity are free from income-tax and are guaranteed by contract. Since a structured settlement annuity is meant for long-term financial security, it is important to get an assurance of the credentials of the annuity provider.

The periodicity of payment is entered into the settlement agreement. Factors that individuals can consider in deciding upon the date of commencement of payment, duration, and periodicity include monthly expenses, present age, extent of hazard in occupation, and retirement plans. In order to ensure that the payments remain tax-free, the structure of payments should not be altered once it has been agreed upon by both parties. In the case of a qualified assignment, the insurance company making the payment can transfer its obligation for payments to a third party.

There are issues that one should understand before opting for a structured settlement agreement. If payments are made to an estate, they are free from income tax but subject to estate tax. Purchasing a structured annuity can affect the availability of ready money with an individual.

State and federal laws govern the closing of a structured settlement. The closing process usually gets completed in 3-6 months. Federal laws stipulate that a court order be obtained by either the customer or the funding company that is purchasing the payment stream so that there are no tax liabilities. The manner in which the court order is obtained is regulated by various "Structured Settlement Protection Acts", which are in force in 36 states in the United States.

A disclosure statement is made available to a customer 3 to 14 days before he receives the transfer agreement. The disclosure statement mentions the amounts to be paid to the customer and their due dates; the IRS Discounted Present Value of the amount at that given point in time; the Gross Advance Amount and the Annual Discount Rate; disclosures desired by the state; and a list of the fees and commissions incurred.

It is advisable to avail attorney advice before going in for a. In fact, in some states, it is a precondition to acquiring a structured settlement annuity. However, depending upon the laws being used for the transaction, customers do have the option of waiving legal representation in the Transfer Agreement or obtain an Estoppel letter from their attorney.

The funding company commences payment to an individual after acknowledging the assignment and receiving a court order. The payments start 30-45 days after the receipt of the court order.

Getting Cash Now From Your Long-Term Structured Settlement Annuity

If you have a structured settlement in which you receive your personal injury lawsuit award or settlement over time, you might be able to "cash out" the settlement. To do this, you sell some or all of your future payments in exchange for getting cash now.
Read on to learn what a structured settlement is, what it means to cash out your settlement annuity, and the process for doing so.

What Is a Structured Settlement?

When you win or settle a personal injury suit, you may have a choice to take your award as a one-time lump sum payment or as a structured settlement, which is a series of smaller payments over a period of years. Many people choose a structured settlement for its tax advantages, to avoid difficulties of managing large sums, or to ensure a stream of income when it's needed most. (Learn more about structured settlements.

Structured settlements are often designed to take into account the your future income needs, ongoing medical bills, your income from other sources, and other upcoming financial obligations like college tuition for your children. Structured settlements cannot, however, account for all financial challenges. Although your settlement may pay you $10,000 each year for 30 years, at some time during the payout period, you may wish to tap into those future payments to cover a present need.

Cashing Out Your Settlement Annuity

In order to cash out your settlement annuity, you sell your right to receive certain payments that are due under your settlement agreement. The companies that buy the rights to these payments, and give you cash, are called factoring companies.
Example. Under the terms of your settlement agreement, you are paid $50,000 per year for 20 years. After ten years of payments, you need cash right away and cannot wait for your next settlement payments. You contact a factoring company. Under the agreement with the company, you get $20,000 in cash now and in return the factoring company will get your next two settlement payments, for years 11 and 12. Those payments total $100,000. Once the factoring company has received its two payments, the annuity payments revert back to you, and you will receive the payments for year 13 and beyond.

When Will You Get the Money?

The commercials make the process sound quick and easy, but in almost every state you must get approval from a judge in order to sell your future payments to a factoring company. The review is designed to ensure that the request and the terms of the cash-out are in your best interest. The process, therefore, can take a month or more.

Will the Court Approve Your Request to Cash Out Your Annuity?

When you go before the judge, you will probably be required to justify your request. Using the money to pay medical bills or buy a new car may be acceptable. On the other hand, the judge may think that taking a luxury vacation or investing in your brother-in-law’s get-rich-quick scheme is not a good enough reason to sell future payments for less than their value. Even if you need the cash-out to pay ordinary living expenses, a court may be reluctant to approve your request.

How Much Money Can You Get If You Cash Out?

The amount you can cash out of your future settlement payments depends on many factors. These can include:

• your age
• your health
• the state in which you live
• the number and size of the payments you intend to sell
• the financial health of the company that owns your settlement annuity
• your reason for wanting the money now
• your future financial needs, and
• the difference between the amount of the payment you’re selling and the amount you’ll receive, also known as the discount.

Shop Around for the Best Terms

Financial experts will encourage you to shop around and talk with several companies to get the best deal, remembering that the best deal is not necessarily the one that claims to be the fastest. Instead of relying on television ads, consult with your attorney or a financial planner for referrals to reputable companies. Your financial planner or attorney can also help you run the numbers to evaluate the consequences of selling your future payment stream.

Consider Other Resources First

Finally, consider looking for alternative sources for the cash you need before you commit to selling your settlement. If you have other assets, like a home with equity or a retirement account, it may be more cost effective for you to borrow against those assets than to cash-out a future guaranteed payment. Even personal loans or cash advances on your credit cards are likely to cost less if you are disciplined about paying them timely or using your future settlement installment to retire the debt.

Best Price of Structured Settlement Cash

Best Price of Structured Settlement Cash – People love to use the structured settlement because it can be great support for securing their income in long term. Structured settlement can be sold easily anytime they need a lot of money immediately especially for their urgent need. People need the money for structured settlement selling immediately but it does not mean that they will accept any value offered for their structured settlement cash. Of course they want to sell it with the best price and there are some ways which can be used for ensuring that they sell the structured settlement with the best price.

It is better to ask other people who have experience with selling structures settlement about the recommended company for structured settlement selling. It is important to find a great company which has good reputation and trustworthy for getting the best price of their structured settlement selling. They can also use the internet for getting more information about review as well as testimonial of the company. Shopping around of course is also necessary because people can make comparison of the offered price from several companies to get the best price.

After finding top listed companies, people need to get the quotes from every company for getting the best rate. It is necessary to have careful consideration for each offer of the structures settlement.

Have You Been Awarded a Structured Settlement Annuity?

Many times people are awarded a structured settlement annuity and not even know what it is. A structured settlement annuity is payments that come from legal action or a law suit. 

  People are far from perfect, and many get involved in minor incidents such as a wreck or other legal action resolving from not paying bills or other reasons. Once the judge reaches his verdict the person or company having to pay the money may not have all the money at once to pay so they will settle on a structured settlement annuity. 

There are a lot of insurance companies that specialize in annuity policies which allow for them to talk with the other insurance company involved and they will change the monthly payments into a lump sum which will allow the person to pay the insurance company back instead of the person that the money is owed too. The insurance company will act like a bank for the person that is owed the money. 

There are many different reasons that one may choose to sell their structured settlement annuity such as needing money to make the bills, a down payment on a house or a car. The reasons may vary but at least there is cash for structured settlements. 

There a few different steps involved when you want to sell the annuity such as following the written guidelines and disclosures to a T. Then once the amount has been reached the parties involved must mutually agree then it has to be brought before a judge who will approve or disapprove on the plan. If the judge approves then the money can be settled and everyone can move on. 

As with anything there are always pros and cons with a structured settlement annuity. A pro is having the extra income especially if you have been laid off or have no income due to an accident. This can also be turned into a con because people rely on the the money and when it stops flowing they are once again struggling. Anytime you have questions regarding a structured settlement annuity consult with a broker or your attorney.

Structured Settlement Annuity

A structured settlement is essentially a financial agreement whereby compensation from an insurance settlement is paid through an annuity via regularly scheduled installments over. Structured settlement annuity sell all or just a portion of your future settlement payments from your annuity for a lump sum cash payout or a more flexible deferred payment plan. What is structured settlement annuity : financial planning a national leader in providing fast cash now service from your structured settlements and annuities. Structured settlement: lump sum of cash for structured settlements we can help you get money now for your annuity find out how you can sell your annuity today call 1-888-594-1195 to get started. Annuity/structured settlement what is structured settlement annuity part of the series: financial planning: annuities a structures settlement annuity is usually the result of litigation in which one party.

Prosperity partners, inc we buy structured annuities & payments  annuity buyouts what are annuity buyouts annuity buyouts by structured settlement companies jg wentworth and peachtree financial two leading note buyers is when they purchase the. Annuity settlement cash payout for structured payments it is important to consider life expectancy in association with any structured settlement, and to consider whether it is appropriate to enter into an annuity. Lump sum of cash structured settlement company let us guide you step by step through the procedure of selling your structured settlement payments, lotto and casino winnings or annuity payments for a lump sum today. Sell your structured settlement annuity payments client first learn what a structured settlement is in plain english find structured settlements company, payments, broker, annuity and loan info.

What is a Structured Settlement Annuity?

What is a Structured Settlement Annuity?

A Structured Settlement Annuity (SSA) provides tax-free, periodic payments over a period of time, specifically designed to meet an injured party's needs. Specialized consultants facilitate the settlement process, as well as help design and negotiate the structure. 

Why choose a Structured Settlement?

Benefits for the injured party:

• Features customized design: Payments are specifically tailored to meet the injured party's particular financial needs over a defined period.
• Emphasizes stability: Payments are designed to help meet the claimant's current and future financial needs.
• Promotes security: Structured settlement provide the dependability of a highly rated financial institution.

Benefits for the defendant:

• Leads to faster settlements
• May reduce costs
• Avoids Jury trials
• May allow for tax deduction (self-insured)

Pacific Life is a member of the National Structured Settlement Trade Association

This material is not intended to be used, nor can it be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal, state, or local tax penalties. This material is written to support the promotion or marketing of the transaction(s) or matter(s) addressed by this material. Pacific Life, its distributors, and respective representatives do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. Any taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayer's particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor or attorney.

Pacific Life refers to Pacific Life Insurance Company and its affiliates, including Pacific Life & Annuity Company. Insurance products are issued by Pacific Life Insurance Company in all states except New York and in New York by Pacific Life & Annuity Company. Product availability and features may vary by state. Each insurance company is solely responsible for the financial obligations accruing under the products it issues. Insurance product and guarantees, including annuity payout rates, are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company and do not protect the value of the variable investment options.

During the recession, many people were searching for cash and liquidity to stay afloat. Even as the economy improves, there are those who have a need for money and will turn to some unusual places to get it.

Selling annuities, structured settlements, scheduled lottery payoffs or other ongoing payments for cash became more popular during the recession. But for those still feeling a cash crunch, this tactic is seen as a potential option.

Unless the financial predicaments are dire, most financial advisers recommend against cashing in annuities or structured settlements. Selling off an annuity can trigger surrender charges as high as 10 percent, and those who sell before age 59 1/2 can also face federal taxes and penalties. Structured settlements are attractive because they generally provide tax-free income for life.

Yet, sometimes cashing in is the only option. That $500 monthly payment from an old accident may have helped with medical bills early on, but if the beneficiary lost his job and fell behind on some bills or had to make significant costly repairs to his home, a lump-sum payout of $50,000 may seem quite enticing.

Payments Annuities Cash, Tips for Selling Your Structured Settlement

Persons who want cash for annuity payments can sell their structured settlement to companies or lending institution. However, that is with such a risk. It's necessary to understand how this sort of financial deal works and even more important to examine  the company you choose to sell to.

To obtain cash for structured settlement annuity payments is a rather complicated operation and requests the help of a structured settlement annuities specialist. This can either be a lawyer or experienced who has been well coached in this path. You can begin the operation by communication with the company who set your structured settlement or you may prefer to work with another individual.

When you decide to sell your structured settlement annuity payments to a private investor or financial institution, you give them the permission to coming payments in exchange for a lump sum of cash. Structured settlement Annuity payments can be sold entirely or in a part. For example, if your structured settlement payments are for thirty years, you can sell one to thirty years of payments.

The first action to get cash for annuity payments needs you to estimate how much money you want. Most of people sell their structured settlement payments to pay off debt, medical expenses or college tuition. Others need cash for investment such as buying houses, stocks and bonds or real estate.

The second action needs you to collect your structured settlement payments details. The investor or financial institution will require knowing the name of the life insurance company backing the annuity payments, along with the determinate dates, the amount of every payment and how many remaining payments.

In addition, you will want to inform the investor of how much money you want to keep and how many payments you want to sell. These details provide the note buyer with the present day value of your structured settlement annuities.

The investor will check the data and call you to discuss various payment choices. Private investors who expert in structured settlements usually have access to a number of annuity buyers and will be able to direct you to those who offer top dollars for future annuity payments.

The first discussion will last near about one-half hour of your time. You need to take it easy with the investor and should hunt this chance to ask questions and get references.

Before you try to get cash for annuity payments, take your time to conduct thorough research. Analyze various note buying companies and talk with more than three experts before choosing. This will help ensure a positive experience when obtaining cash for your structured settlement annuities.

What Is a Structured Settlement and What Are The Benefits

For many of us who have been through the Justice system. We know the huge slow churning wheel of time that seems to make many cases takes years to complete and agree upon mutual settlements. The court system can sometimes be a drag and proves to be even more expensive to see through a case than to being awarded a settlement. Many of this has changed with the introduction of Structured Settlements.

A structured settlement is a financial or insurance arrangement whereby a claimant agrees to resolve a personal injury tort claim by receiving periodic payments on an agreed schedule rather than as a lump sum. The increased popularity was due to several rulings by the IRS, an increase in personal injury awards, and higher interest rates. The IRS rulings changed policies such that if certain requirements were met then claimants could have federal income tax waived.^] Higher interest rates result in lower present values, hence annuity premiums, for deferred payments versus a lump sum. Structured settlement payments are sometimes called periodic payments and when incorporated into a trial judgment is called a “periodic payment judgment."

What is Structured Settlement Annuities

An Annuity overall is termed as a fix amount of money paid yearly to an individual. Structured settlement annuities are complex contracts or products, paid out to injured parties in lieu of one large lump sum.The payee does not or will never own the annuity, but instead is controlled by the defendants insurance company.
Some Types of Annuities
Immediate Annuity

• An immediate annuity provides income right away or at least within a year after you buy it. You plunk down a big lump sum payment, which is also called a single premium, and start receiving an income stream from that money each month. For example, let’s say you receive a life insurance payment of one million dollars after taxes and you want to create a monthly income from investing that money in an annuity.

Differed Annuity

• The other broad category of annuities is a deferred annuity, where you receive income at a future date. You make one or multiple contributions during the annuity’s “savings phase” and then receive income either as periodic payments or as a lump sum during the “distribution phase.” So it’s similar to a retirement account where you set aside money that you access in the future.

 

Selling Your Structured Settlement

Why would anyone want their lump sum payment. Well i can think of a couple reasons why some people would prefer to have their lump sum payment than a structured settlement. Suppose you may need to buy or repair a home, start or invest in a business, fund a college education, pay off a debt or invest in something much lucrative than a monthly payment. These are some valid reasons why you’d like to have lump sum in your hands rather than your periodical payments. The process of selling an annuity or structured settlement is not difficult, but it involves you taking the step to sell, deciding how much to sell and going before a judge to approve your request before you will be able to access that lump some cash.
After you have made you complete decision on selling your structured settlement, then you will need to follow the simple steps below in order for the sale of your settlement to begin. It will take a little time for the process of sale to complete, most sales of settlement materialize into cash in an approximate time of around forty days (40). You must also remember that every structured settlement purchase transaction is different in its own way due to each state's laws regulating such purchase transactions.

• Shop around to find the best rate on your sale
  Companies do everything to make a profit, and buying your Structured Settlement is one way of doing so. There are many companies who offer good deals while there are others who will burn you deep. What is happening is that you are selling future money for now money, so the company is taking an economical risk as in any investment when they buy or broker the sale of your annuity or structured settlement.
• Choose the right company and Start your paper work
  You must now submit all your documentation which may include, your structured settlement or annuity policy, settlement agreement letter, your application for sale and ID. These important documents are needed to verify payments and also yo ensure accuracy of all pieces of document.
• Sale is approved by JudgeAfter the relevant documents are returned and they are fully signed, a local attorney files them with court and after that the court will schedule a hearing. In the court you will be required to justify why the money is needed and you should be in a position to show that you are not putting your and your family’s financial future in jeopardy. Unless there are any problems with your request of transfer, the judges mostly approve the transfer at this stage.
• Collect Your Funds
  Once the judge signs off on the sale, you will just have to wait until a check is cut or the funds is wired to your account of choice from the sale of your structured settlement.

Some Structured Settlement Benefits

• Since Many Lump Sump settlements are considered by Law as a form income, and since income is taxable. Funds received from your annuity are tax free as long as the plaintiff is in no control of the funds.
  
• Persons tend to squander their lump sum payments within a couple of years without properly investing it. Then they will become quite dependent on the government for support after they become penniless. When a structured settlement is agreed on, periodic payments are maintained and controlled through the lifetime of the plaintiffs disabilities.
• Annuities are controlled and managed by professional qualified financial companies and ensures that present ad future expenses are covered. There is special needs planning and contingency plan for any future developments.
• Most states have laws protect annuities and ensures that even if the insurer goes broke. The annuities forthcoming to the plaintiff will be honored.

The Drawbacks in Structured Settlements

• If a plaintiff holds too much control over the structured settlement proceeds, the IRS may look at the situation and decide that the tax break must be cancelled
• A plaintiff may fear that, no matter how the settlement protects against negative economic conditions such as inflation or recession, unknown changes in the economy could make the annuity payments too small.
• Sometimes, an annuity is placed with brokers who do not have sufficient protection for insolvency (when financial obligations outweigh assets).
• Insurance companies are usually reluctant to disclose how much they will have to pay to buy an annuity covering the amount of the settlement. A structured settlement frequently costs insurance companies much less than it would to make a lump-sum settlement. Without this information, however, the plaintiff's attorney may not be able to make a complete assessment of the benefits and drawbacks of a settlement offer.

In many circumstances, a settlement may be a faster, cheaper, and less stressful alternative to trial. An experienced personal injury attorney can discuss the facts of you case with you and help you decide whether a structured settlement would be your best interests.

Structured settlements is a good way of ensuring that money is controlled and payed when needed. it is a way to monitor and control monies awarded to a plaintiff which has become physically challenged due to some form of accident or any other incident. Even though some say structured payments is a way for insurance companies to not pay large sums which is of better value now that slices of that large sum which value depreciates over time. What ever you decision is regarding your structured settlement, ensure that you have legal aid in order to help you make the right and sensible decisions.

How to Successfully Sell a Structured Settlement

The main reason that people seek out to sell a structured settlement is so that they will be able to have a lump sum of money at once. Some people are trying to get out of debt and others want to have money for an investment. They may be looking to buy a home, a new vehicle, or even to buy a business so that they can make a return on the money they use for starting it up.

Whatever the reasons behind it may be, there is a right way to go about how to sell a structured settlement. You need to do your homework and find out what is offered out there. Don't be in a rush to just give it over to anyone or you can end up getting scammed or losing too much money.

When you sell the settlement you will get a lump sum that is less than what the overall structured settlement would be over the time frame that has been outlined. You want to compare rates to find out where you can get the best overall deal. Of course some stipulations of a structured settlement state that it can't be sold so make sure you don't have such confinement before you even start to look for a buyer.

Once you find a buyer that seems good, check out their reputation. Find out how long they have been in business, look at any claimed filed with the BBB, and read independent reviews online too. Those will be from people just like you who have worked first hand with that business. Find out how the process went for them when they sold a structured settlement so you can void common pitfalls.

Make sure you carefully read through all of the terms and conditions for the sell of your structured settlement too. Find out what the tax repercussions will be, how much money you will get, and when that money is going to be available. It may be a good idea to have a financial advisor review it for you before you sign on the dotted line.

Structured Settlement Annuity Company Customer Service Phone Numbers

DO YOU HATE TRYING TO CHASE DOWN CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACTS AS MUCH AS WE DO?
If you have a structured settlement annuity and want to change a bank account for direct deposit, change a beneficiary, change an address, report a death or lost the contact information for your structured settlement broker? For the convenience of annuitants, attorneys, claimants and owners of structured settlement annuity contracts, we have compiled customer service phone numbers for current and former structured settlement annuity companies. Most of the numbers are toll-free and current as of June 10, 2009.

Structured Settlement Annuity Company Customer Service Phone Numbers

Current Structured Settlement Annuity Company

Allstate Life Insurance Company/ Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York	800-840-3870/ 800-237-3303
American General Life Insurance Company	800-288-4088 ext 8066
American International Life Assurance Company of New York (post 2000 issue)	800-288-4088 ext 8006
American International Life Assurance Company of New York (pre-2000 issue)	866-221-0418
F&G Life Insurance Company	800-357-8734
Hartford Life Insurance Company	800-678-2282
John Hancock Life Insurance Company	800-624-5155
Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston	800-451-7065 option 2
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company	800-427-9409
New York Life Insurance Company	212-576-6243
Pacific Life and Annuity Company	888-728-5611
Prudential Insurance Company of America	888-778-2888
Symetra Life Insurance Company	800-796-3872
Former Structured Settlement Annuity Company
AEGON	800-866-0002
Alexander Hamilton Life	800-458-5299
American Mayflower Life Insurance Company of NY	800-432-6631
Aviva Life and Annuity Company/ Aviva Life and Annuity Company of New York	888-285-4332
Canada Life	800-879-8271
CGU Life/CGU Life of NY/ CU LIfe/ CU LIfe of NY (see Aviva Life and Annuity or NY subsidiary above)
Commonwealth Life (see AEGON)
CNA/ Continental Assurance	877-633-5217
Confederation Life (see Pacific Life & Annuity which services these contracts)
Executive Life of New York	800-638-2704
Farmers New World	877-369-5778
Federal Home Life (see Genworth)
First Colony Life Insurance Company (see Genworth)
GE Capital Assurance/ GE Capital Life Assurance Company of New York	800-432-6631
Genworth Life/ Genworth Life of New York	800-432-6631
ING/Security Life of Denver	800-638-6273 option 2
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company	888-549-4227
Monumental Life (see AEGON)
Manulife (see right, or John Hancock)	800-395-2364
Monarch Life Insurance Company	800-654-0050
People's Security Life (see AEGON)
Presidential Life Insurance Company	800-926-7599
SAFECO Life Insurance Company (see Symetra)
Transamerica Life (see AEGON)
Travelers Life and Annuity (see Metropolitan Life)
United of Omaha	402-351-7749
United Pacific Life (see Genworth)
VALIC (see American General)

Structured Settlement Annuity Companies and Reviews

Structured Settlement Buyers

Structured Settlement Buyers

 


There are many companies that will advertise about them being the best in purchasing your structured settlement. But whenever you choose to sell your structured settlement you must first do your research and look at the companies with some of the best track records.

The role of  a structured settlement company is for creating the agreement, getting your court approval and liaising with the payer. The more experienced and balanced structured settlement companies will help you get through these processes smoothly while giving you the most in your lump some payment. There are some mediocre structured settlement companies who campaign big but deliver small on providing your with the best deal when selling and drags out the process much longer than general time it takes for all processes to complete.

Here are some simple things that you must look at when picking a company to handle your structured settlement.

• Company Stance or Strength. How reputable is this company, how long have they been in business and how do they deliver their products.
• Website functionality and Service. The company website must provide you with very specif detail and step by step processes with clear and precise instructions. 
• Customer Service. Is always key, you will be engaging with the company and therefore you will need all your queries answered in a professional and timely manner. Staff must be courteous and not acting as if they are doing you a a favor.

Total Cash for Your Structured Settlement

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TopConsumerReviews.com  has done several reviews and has rated these companies as top in structured settlement.

Stone Street Capital Cash Cow

1. STONE STREET CAPITAL

You may recognize Stone Street Capital from their "Cash Now from the Cash Cow" commercials. In business since 1989, Stone Street Capital, headquartered in Maryland, is a pioneer of the structured settlement funding service providers. They lead the way in top quality customer service, which is reflected in their A+ Better Business Bureau rating and numerous satisfied clients. 

The Stone Street Capital structured settlement website exceeded our expectations in information and education. We were able to browse through a number of helpful articles and information that helped us understand the structured settlement buyer, press releases about Stone Street over the past several years, structured settlement tips, and more.

The process at Stone Street is very straightforward. Here's what you can expect:

• You first identify how much money you need, and when you'll need it.
• You call or email Stone Street to discuss your options.
• Necessary paperwork is overnighted to you for signatures and a notary if you accept their offer.
• You return the documents back in a pre-paid envelope.
• Stone Street works with the payer to verify the payments and establishes a court date with an attorney in your local area.
• Stone Street will send a wire transfer or check upon court approval.
• Average turnaround is based on the state you reside in, but you can anticipate 45 to 90 days from start to finish.
• You will work with one Stone Street representative through the entire process.

We found the customer service team to be top notch at this company. The representatives are very informative and offer no pushy sales pitch on why you should choose them. We felt most comfortable dealing with Stone Street Capital and really appreciated their no pressure approach.

In summary, Stone Street Capital provides the highest level of service among structured settlement providers. Their informative website added a lot of value in our search effort. Stone Street offers a long history of strong performance and an excellent BBB rating. If you are looking for a structured settlement company, Stone Street Capital should be your first stop.

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2. SETTLEMENT CAPITAL CORPORATION 

Settlement Capital Corporation is a financing company that provides lump sum payments to recipients of structured settlements, annuities, and lottery winnings. They offer the flexibility of both partial and full payment purchases along with guaranteed and life contingent purchases depending on your situation. Settlement Capital does require a minimum funding amount of $10,000 to do business with them.

Formed in 1989, this Dallas based company currently holds an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and offers customers an informative website. Despite a lot of moving parts and colors we found their website to be quite helpful. We especially appreciated the clear explanation of the legalities of selling a structured settlement and how Settlement Capital Corporation will assist throughout the process.

The process at Settlement Capital Funding is pretty straightforward:

• Start by submitting your name, email and contact information in their online form or call them directly.
• Settlement Capital will evaluate the structured settlement and help you choose a plan.
• Once you identify the plan they will send necessary contracts for you to sign and have notarized.
• Once the forms are signed and returned Settlement Cap will verify your payments with the insurance company and work to apply for a court date.
• The exact settlement length can vary depending on the seller's state and the insurance company but ranges between 45 to 90 days.
• The seller will receive funds 5 to 10 working days from the time the order is approved.

We spoke with Jason at Settlement Capital Corporation and he was happy to assist with our questions. He clearly explained the process, and as the website states, provided no aggressive sales pitch that made us feel uncomfortable or pressured.

In summary, Settlement Capital Corporation has a strong BBB rating and years of experience. In working with their customer service representative, we were impressed with their clear explanations to our questions and professional demeanor. If you’re looking for a solid structured settlement company that is customer friendly, Settlement Capital Corporation is worth a look.

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3. JG WENTWORTH

G Wentworth has been in business since 1992. They reside in Pennsylvania and currently hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. JG Wentworth is one of the largest structured settlement companies in business and you may have seen one of their many TV commercials. They have a good overall reputation and their website is informative and provides helpful information.

The process of establishing a structured settlement payment with JG Wentworth includes:

• Call or submit your request on line to JG Wentworth. A customer service rep will ask that you complete necessary paperwork to move forward.
• Client returns signed docs to company.
• Upon receiving the paperwork and analyzing the client's structured settlement JG Wentworth will make a lump sum offer in exchange for a portion or all of the future settlement payments.
• JG Wentworth sends documents to their attorney to file for court approval.
• Upon court approval, approximately 4-6 weeks in most states, client receives check.

Our customer service experience was average with the two representatives we encountered at JG Wentworth. The first was unable to answer both of our questions but was friendly. The 2nd seemed rushed and a little pushy. We were disappointed that each time we called JG Wentworth we had to speak to a new contact

Overall, JG Wentworth is a strong company with a good reputation. We would have liked to have seen more knowledgeable customer service representatives. Despite their less customer friendly approach we appreciate the strong reputation at JG Wentworth and find it's worth your time for a quote.

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4.CBC SETTLEMENT FUNDING

 

Founded in 2004 CBC Settlement Funding is a Pennsylvania based company. They currently hold an A rating with the Better Business Bureau. CBC is a member of the National Structured Settlements Trade Association and their top executives worked historically for some of the largest structured settlement firms. Since then they've built a well run business with a strong focus on customer service.

The website at CBC Settlement was very informative with state specific regulation information, numerous resources to help you understand CBC Settlement Funding. While in business shorter than those higher ranked the innovative and informative website was the best of the bunch. We appreciated their level of professionalism.

The process of starting a structured settlement payment at CBC Settlement Funding includes:

• Contact CBC to discuss options.
• Necessary paperwork is sent for signatures and a notary.
• Return the documents back to CBC Settlement.
• CBC works with the insurance company to verify the payments and establish a court date with an attorney in your local area.
• CBC will expedite a wire transfer or check upon court approval.
• Stated 3 to 6 week average turn around based on the state you live in.

The customer service team at CBC Settlement was knowledgeable and courteous. We were able to get all of our questions answered in our first call.

If you are looking for a lump sum payment from a structured settlement CBC Settlement Funding is a company worth requesting a quote from.

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5.WOODBRIDGE SETTLEMENT FUNDING

A California based company, Woodbridge Structured Funding has been in business since 1993 and currently holds an A+ Better Business Bureau rating. Our first impression of Woodbridge was concerning. We felt their website lacked the professionalism we expected. We saw more of a sales pitch then valuable information. When you're making a decision worth thousands of dollars you don't want to see "free" gimmicks at every corner.

While the Woodbridge process wasn't laid out on the website we were able to identify the standard protocol:

• Start by calling and talking to a representative.
• They will evaluate the structured settlement and offer you a quote.
• If you agree with their quote, they will send via overnight package forms to complete.
• Once you complete and have notarized the documents you return in their pre-paid overnight envelope.
• Woodbridge will verify your payments with the insurance company.
• Once verified they will apply for a court date in your area and hire an attorney. Depending on the state and delays in establishing court dates, most customers can anticipate 45 days for their settlement check.

Customer Service was very good. We spoke with a very knowledgeable customer service representative who was not pushy or in a rush. He answered all of our questions in detail and then provided his direct extension.

Instead of providing an informative website, Woodbridge Structured Funding focuses on driving customers via gimmicks and promises. While we appreciated their strong BBB rating and customer service, we would have liked more information to help make a decision. In the end, Woodbridge is probably worth getting a free structured settlement quote, but don't get hung up on big promises or gas cards.

Understand Structured settlement even more before you sell.