The Top 5 Reasons to Consider a Structured Settlement

It can be overwhelming to accept settlement proceeds as the result of a personal injury, workers’ compensation, or wrongful death case. The money is often more than most people have handled at one time and in many cases, the claimant may not know what to do with it. It is important to work with a trusted settlement planner throughout the settlement process to ensure that the claimant understands all of their options up front. One such option available for these types of settlements is a structured settlement annuity—keep reading to learn about the advantages of a structured settlement.

Accepting a lump sum—why it’s not always the best option

Proceeds from personal injury, workers’ compensation, and wrongful death cases are usually income tax-free. However, if the proceeds are placed in a traditional investment vehicle (a mutual fund, for example), the earnings on the proceeds are taxable. Also, if the claimant is on needs-based government benefits (e.g., Medi-Cal, SSI, etc.), the acceptance of a lump sum will almost certainly exceed asset limit for those benefits, rendering the claimant ineligible for assistance. Lastly, claimants who receive large cash settlements often find themselves the target of “friends” and family asking for money, leading to the dissipation of the proceeds. A structured settlement provides a safe, reliable alternative to a lump sum. Here are the top five reasons to consider using one:

1. 100% income tax-free: Both the money placed in the structured settlement annuity and any interest earned are 100% income tax-free.
2. Guaranteed¹ rate of return: The rate of return for a structured settlement is fixed, so even if the market takes a downturn, the structured settlement payments will remain constant.
3. No ongoing fees or expenses: Unlike traditional investments, structured settlements do not have annual management or overhead fees, leaving more money in the claimant’s pocket.
4. Flexible design: Structured settlement payments can be designed to be made monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, or annually. Payments can also be made in the form of a few future lump sums to help pay for planned expenses, such as college.
5. Preservation of government benefits: A structured settlement can be used to fund a Special Needs Trust, which may help preserve eligibility for claimants who receive needs-based benefits.

Contact Traci Kaas for more information

Our California-based settlement planning team frequently assists injured claimants in developing structured settlement plans that work for them. Contact us today at 800-354-2258 or info@tracikaas.com to learn more.

¹ Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying abilities of the issuing insurance company.