The process of arriving at a structured settlement is through negotiations concerning the value of the annuity and payment schedule. The process involves primarily a claimant and the life insurance company; if the structured settlement annuity is related to litigation, it will involve the defendant as well.
As per the process, the defendant agrees as per a contractual agreement to pay the claimant sums of money on a periodic basis and in exchange the claimant drops his litigation. The defendant directs a third party/assignee to execute the annuities on its behalf and provides it with funds necessary to do so. An annuity contract is purchased by the assignee and is used for fulfilling the periodic payment obligations.
Individuals who are in the process of obtaining a structured settlement annuity can avail the services of a broker who can help them with the best deal available with respect to their circumstances.
Structured settlements are popular because of the benefits that they offer. These include a tax-free payment stream over a period of time and a guarantee of payment. Other investment alternatives such as stocks and real estate may offer better returns but do not provide the guarantee and security offered by structured settlements. These settlements are regulated by state and federal laws that need to be observed. These laws may require compulsory legal opinion in a structured settlement transaction.
Structured settlement firms manage the paperwork of a structured settlement annuity. The documents include the Settlement Agreement and Release, court orders, assignment agreement, and the annuity contract. The defendant should ensure that he fulfills all conditions for the annuity to remain tax-free for the duration of the settlement. In order to protect the tax-free status of a structured settlement annuity, it is also important to ensure that once the structured settlement annuity has been agreed upon by the concerned parties, it should not be altered. The payments from a structured settlement can also be made to an estate, in such a case, they are free from income tax but estate tax is levied. The closing of a structured settlement can take three to six months. An individual starts receiving payments thirty to forty-five days after getting the court order.
George Hostetler recommends Structured Settlements Guide for more information on structured settlement annuity options.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Is a Structured Settlement Equity Annuity In Your Best Interest? (by Ken Austin)
Are you looking for some inside information on structured settlement equity annuity? Here's an article thattakes a closer look at the subject of structured settlement equity annuity.
Among your choices if you're owed a settlement is to invest the money in a structured settlement equity annuity. Before you make this choice, there are some issues about which you should learn.
Structured settlements are long-term payments paid to injured parties by the offending party as a result of settling the case in lieu of (or sometimes as a result of) a trial. Once you've won and are due the settlement payout, you have choices to make about what to do with the money.
One attractive option is a structured settlement equity annuity. This provides the best balance between security of your principal (the settlement payout) and potential for growth. It pays you whichever is higher: a minimum guaranteed interest rate or stock market return. Equity refers to stocks, also called equities.
Another option when you get a structured settlement is to sell it and take a lump sum payment from a third party. While this may be an attractive option, depending on your financial situation, you stand to lose a lot compared to a structured settlement equity annuity.
People in retirement (or very near) are usually better off with the safety and guaranteed minimum returns an equity indexed annuity provides. Still, many people winning structured settlements opt for the lump sum payout, even knowing they are forfeiting a percentage of the settlement to the company that buys the settlement out.
Most of this information comes straight from the structured settlement equity annuity pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you'll know what they know.
Selling a structured settlement to get a large cash payout at one time is also fraught with negative tax effects. Not only will you lose a percentage to the buying company, but taxes will eat another percentage. With a structured settlement equity annuity, most or all of the money you get will be tax-free (or taxed very little).
If you decide to pursue a structured settlement equity annuity, take the time to research your choices thoroughly. Look for a long track record of successful returns and competent management. Don't risk what you've won!
If your decision is to sell your structured settlement for one lump sum payment, it's imperative to hire a lawyer to help you deal with companies and to advise you. Some unscrupulous companies are out there that will use slick sales approaches to convince you that taking only half (or even less) is somehow a good deal for you.
They prey on your desire to get a bunch of cash in hand as soon as possible. A skilled attorney can keep you from making poor decisions that are emotionally driven. He or she can also help you pick a structured settlement equity indexed annuity that will give you the best long-term results.
Whichever way you're leaning, the smart play is to research all your options and hire a lawyer you trust to give you his or her wisdom and experience in the structured settlement equity area. It's too important a decision to make on a whim.
Don't limit yourself by refusing to learn the details about structured settlement equity annuity. The more you know, the easier it will be to focus on what's important.
Ken Austin is the webmaster at Structured Settlement Tips and Structured Settlements and Annuities.
Among your choices if you're owed a settlement is to invest the money in a structured settlement equity annuity. Before you make this choice, there are some issues about which you should learn.
Structured settlements are long-term payments paid to injured parties by the offending party as a result of settling the case in lieu of (or sometimes as a result of) a trial. Once you've won and are due the settlement payout, you have choices to make about what to do with the money.
One attractive option is a structured settlement equity annuity. This provides the best balance between security of your principal (the settlement payout) and potential for growth. It pays you whichever is higher: a minimum guaranteed interest rate or stock market return. Equity refers to stocks, also called equities.
Another option when you get a structured settlement is to sell it and take a lump sum payment from a third party. While this may be an attractive option, depending on your financial situation, you stand to lose a lot compared to a structured settlement equity annuity.
People in retirement (or very near) are usually better off with the safety and guaranteed minimum returns an equity indexed annuity provides. Still, many people winning structured settlements opt for the lump sum payout, even knowing they are forfeiting a percentage of the settlement to the company that buys the settlement out.
Most of this information comes straight from the structured settlement equity annuity pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you'll know what they know.
Selling a structured settlement to get a large cash payout at one time is also fraught with negative tax effects. Not only will you lose a percentage to the buying company, but taxes will eat another percentage. With a structured settlement equity annuity, most or all of the money you get will be tax-free (or taxed very little).
If you decide to pursue a structured settlement equity annuity, take the time to research your choices thoroughly. Look for a long track record of successful returns and competent management. Don't risk what you've won!
If your decision is to sell your structured settlement for one lump sum payment, it's imperative to hire a lawyer to help you deal with companies and to advise you. Some unscrupulous companies are out there that will use slick sales approaches to convince you that taking only half (or even less) is somehow a good deal for you.
They prey on your desire to get a bunch of cash in hand as soon as possible. A skilled attorney can keep you from making poor decisions that are emotionally driven. He or she can also help you pick a structured settlement equity indexed annuity that will give you the best long-term results.
Whichever way you're leaning, the smart play is to research all your options and hire a lawyer you trust to give you his or her wisdom and experience in the structured settlement equity area. It's too important a decision to make on a whim.
Don't limit yourself by refusing to learn the details about structured settlement equity annuity. The more you know, the easier it will be to focus on what's important.
Ken Austin is the webmaster at Structured Settlement Tips and Structured Settlements and Annuities.
The Cash Now Question (by Jason Rigler)
If you have ever been in a bind for cash you know the stress, the weight of not being able to pay your bills. In these desperate times, desperate measures are often taken. Expensive loans, overused credit cards, and a snowball of events quickly complicate your financial position. Once the collectors begin their relentless pursuit of your sanity, the road to financial prosperity seems a million miles away. On the scene arrives your hero, the “Cash Now” guy.
The “Cash Now” guy says he can buy your lawsuit settlement and give you a lump sum for it. Of course, you have to have a structured settlement; you have to be receiving annuity payments, on top of a myriad of other qualifications. So if you are a lawsuit winner with an annuity settlement, is it really as good as it seems? Can cash now ease your financial woes? Maybe, but maybe not, it all depends on your situation.
The formula is simple. Does solving your money problems today outweigh the price you pay to get an advance on your future annuity payments? For example, paying what equates to a one time 25% interest fee on $30,000 might be worth the price to save your home and avoid bankruptcy. If you are behind on credit cards, which charge you a ridiculous 24% interest rate, does it make sense then to take a lump sum option? The credit card rate is better than the discount you would pay. What if you had to give up $30,000 of your $75,000 lump sum due in 8 years? Will the $45,000 you get today make up for the 30k throw away?
Annuities and structured settlement suits were created and scheduled to meet the future needs of a recipient. The fee for accelerating those payments is exorbitant. Researching alternative options is a must, and at the end of the day, it is your sanity that makes the final argument. Is cash now an answer to your prayers? Probably not but, it is a choice on your list. And it’s time to get started on that list before your bills get the better of you.
Jason M. Rigler
National Marketing Director and Guru
JasonR@ppicash.com
Prosperity Partners
http://www.ppicash.com
The “Cash Now” guy says he can buy your lawsuit settlement and give you a lump sum for it. Of course, you have to have a structured settlement; you have to be receiving annuity payments, on top of a myriad of other qualifications. So if you are a lawsuit winner with an annuity settlement, is it really as good as it seems? Can cash now ease your financial woes? Maybe, but maybe not, it all depends on your situation.
The formula is simple. Does solving your money problems today outweigh the price you pay to get an advance on your future annuity payments? For example, paying what equates to a one time 25% interest fee on $30,000 might be worth the price to save your home and avoid bankruptcy. If you are behind on credit cards, which charge you a ridiculous 24% interest rate, does it make sense then to take a lump sum option? The credit card rate is better than the discount you would pay. What if you had to give up $30,000 of your $75,000 lump sum due in 8 years? Will the $45,000 you get today make up for the 30k throw away?
Annuities and structured settlement suits were created and scheduled to meet the future needs of a recipient. The fee for accelerating those payments is exorbitant. Researching alternative options is a must, and at the end of the day, it is your sanity that makes the final argument. Is cash now an answer to your prayers? Probably not but, it is a choice on your list. And it’s time to get started on that list before your bills get the better of you.
Jason M. Rigler
National Marketing Director and Guru
JasonR@ppicash.com
Prosperity Partners
http://www.ppicash.com
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