Structured Settlement Types
A structured settlement is a term that is used to refer to an arrangement to give funds over an extended time period. Many are times that are made use of in paying people who have won personal injury lawsuits resulting from workplace injuries, medical malpractice, automobile accidents and those who win the lottery jackpots.
This kind of financial compensation is mostly used in situations where damages are more than $10000 for adults or for children $5000. Annuity payments are made on a regular basis for a certain time period. The time duration is dependent on several factors. The average time period ranges from ten to twenty years, but in the event that injuries result in permanent disability the payments might be made for a lifetime. In a number of cases, benefits go up to the direct lineage heirs who include a spouse or children.
When people win the lottery jackpots they can choose to either get lump sum cash or be paid annually through structured settlements. Winners who choose to get the lump sum cash get less than the complete amount won due to the fact that federal and state taxes are deducted before distribution.
Guaranteeing of structured settlement payments is done using annuities that are held by the life insurance companies. Proceeds from annuities are invested so as to increase the earnings from the annuities. Payments that are made due to injury or negligence are not taxed. However, proceeds from investments obtained through winning the lottery are deducted both the federal and state taxes.
Structured settlements that are lump sum in nature are many times used in situations where children get financial compensation. Funds are given at a later date as a lump sum payment. The lump sum structured settlement payments are of two kinds; “Life Contingent Lump Sum” and “Lump Sum”. The latter gives the annuitants a chance to set up a beneficiary to get the funds when they die and the former does not allow for the designation of a beneficiary.
Last but not least, temporary life annuities give regular payments for a certain time period. The annuity comes to an end with the death of the annuitant and it does not allow for a beneficiary to be designated.