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When individuals receive large sums of money from legal settlements, they face important decisions about how to manage these funds—especially when the settlement is meant to provide long-term financial security following an injury or loss. This is where structured settlement consultants enter the picture, serving as specialized financial professionals who help design payment arrangements that protect the recipient’s financial future.
If you’re considering getting help to manage your structured settlement, then you’ll want to take a closer look at the multifaceted role of consultants, their qualifications, how they operate, and the value they provide to clients navigating complex settlement decisions…
What is a structured settlement?
Before exploring the consultant’s role, it’s important to understand what structured settlements are. A structured settlement is a financial arrangement where a plaintiff who wins or settles a case receives compensation through a series of periodic payments rather than a single lump sum. These payments are typically funded through an annuity purchased from a life insurance company and are designed to provide long-term financial security.
Structured settlements are common in:
- Personal injury cases
- Medical malpractice claims
- Wrongful death lawsuits
- Workers’ compensation cases
- Product liability claims
Core responsibilities of a structured settlement consultant
While specific skill sets may vary among consultants, these are the most common ways in which they can help:
1. Financial analysis and planning
Structured settlement consultants begin by conducting a comprehensive assessment of a client’s current financial situation, future needs, and long-term goals. This involves:
- Evaluating the client’s living expenses.
- Assessing immediate financial needs.
- Projecting future medical costs.
- Considering lifetime care requirements.
- Analyzing tax implications.
- Determining inflation impacts.
- Reviewing family financial obligations.
Based on this analysis, consultants develop customized payment schedules designed to address both immediate needs and long-term financial security.
2. Settlement design and negotiation
Once the client’s needs are understood, consultants design settlement structures that may include:
- Initial lump sum for immediate expenses.
- Regular periodic payments (monthly, quarterly, annually).
- Scheduled larger payments for anticipated future expenses.
- Cost of living adjustments to protect against inflation.
- Medical trust provisions for ongoing care needs.
- Education funds for children or dependents.
- Retirement planning components.
The consultant then works with all parties involved—defense attorneys, plaintiff attorneys, claims representatives, and insurance carriers—to negotiate and implement the agreed-upon structure.
3. Annuity brokerage
A critical function of structured settlement consultants is serving as brokers for annuities that fund the settlement. This includes:
- Researching and selecting appropriate annuity providers.
- Obtaining and comparing quotes from multiple life insurance companies.
- Evaluating the financial strength and stability of potential insurers.
- Negotiating favorable terms and rates.
- Facilitating the annuity purchase.
- Ensuring proper documentation and implementation.
4. Education and guidance
Consultants serve as educators and guides through what is often an unfamiliar process for claimants. They:
- Explain the benefits and limitations of structured settlements.
- Compare structured settlement options with lump sum alternatives.
- Clarify the tax implications of different approaches.
- Address client questions and concerns.
- Provide educational materials and resources.
- Help clients understand the legal and financial terminology involved.
5. Coordination with other professionals
Structured settlement consultants don’t work in isolation. They collaborate with:
- Plaintiff attorneys.
- Defense attorneys and claims adjusters.
- Life care planners.
- Medical professionals.
- Government benefits advisors.
- Financial advisors and accountants.
- Trust attorneys and trustees.
This coordination ensures all aspects of the settlement work together seamlessly.
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Certifications and credentials
Many consultants hold specialized certifications such as:
- Certified Structured Settlement Consultant (CSSC)
- Registered Settlement Planner (RSP)
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
- Licensed insurance professional credentials
Knowledge areas
Effective consultants maintain expertise in:
- Settlement law and regulations.
- Tax code provisions relating to settlements.
- Qualified settlement funds.
- Medicare set-aside arrangements.
- Special needs trust planning.
- Government benefit eligibility rules.
- State-specific settlement laws.
Benefits of working with a consultant
Recipients gain numerous advantages through professional guidance:
- Customized financial solutions tailored to specific needs.
- Protection against premature depletion of funds.
- Tax advantages (structured settlement payments are generally tax-free).
- Reduced pressure to make investment decisions.
- Professional management of complex financial arrangements.
- Protection from creditors in many jurisdictions.
- Preservation of eligibility for government benefits with proper planning.
Ethical obligations
Structured settlement consultants have important ethical responsibilities:
- Providing unbiased advice in the client’s best interest.
- Disclosing all compensation arrangements and potential conflicts.
- Maintaining client confidentiality.
- Ensuring clients fully understand all settlement options.
- Avoiding overselling or misrepresenting potential benefits.
- Respecting the roles of other professionals involved in the case.
Questions to ask
Potential questions when interviewing consultants include:
- How long have you been practicing in this field?
- What specific credentials do you hold related to structured settlements?
- How are you compensated for your services?
- Which life insurance companies do you work with?
- Can you provide references from attorneys who have worked with you?
- What is your approach to designing a settlement plan?
- How do you handle potential conflicts of interest?
- What ongoing support do you provide after settlement implementation?
The takeaway
Structured settlement consultants play a vital role in the civil justice system, helping transform one-time legal settlements into sustainable financial security for injured parties. Through their specialized knowledge of financial products, tax law, and benefit regulations, these professionals help ensure that settlement funds serve their intended purpose—providing for the long-term needs of those who have suffered injuries or losses.
Let Peachtree help
While Peachtree Financial Solutions does not provide structured settlement consulting services, we have helped thousands of people who already have structured settlements get their money sooner by purchasing their future annuity payments for a lump sum of cash. Selling your payments is a regulated process and we have a lot of experience with these transactions. And while every annuity is unique, which means every payment sale will be different, they all have the same basic five steps:
Call one of our representatives.
Receive a free, no-obligation quote for the sale of your payments.
Review and sign the purchase agreement.
We process the agreement with your insurance company.
You get your cash!
Why should you choose Peachtree?
It’s all part of something we call the Peachtree Promise: our experienced, dedicated representatives listen to your goals and clearly explain your available options. We meet you where you are without judgement and work hard to help you meet your financial goals. Getting your quote is completely free, and you’re under no obligation to sell to us if you aren’t completely satisfied with what you hear.
For anyone navigating a personal injury settlement, the expertise a qualified structured settlement consultant offers can be invaluable, potentially making the difference between temporary financial relief and lasting financial security. By understanding how these professionals work and the value they add, settlement recipients can make more informed choices about their financial futures.
This information is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Such information or materials do not constitute and are not intended to provide legal, accounting, or tax advice and should not be relied on in that respect. We suggest that You consult an attorney, accountant, and/or financial advisor to answer any financial or legal questions.
