2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
STRUCTURED SETTLEMENT ANNUITY COMPANIES
2017 Ranking: The Structured Settlement Loan, What It Means, And How Structured Settlement Annuity Companies Fit In
If you have had any type of legal settlement, like medical or personal injury settlements, you probably are familiar with the term “structured settlement,” also known as a structured annuity. Still, they can be a bit confusing, even if you have one.
A structured settlement is basically the money you receive for a legal settlement. For example, if you were in a car accident that the other person was at fault for, you would have settled in court. The money owed to you would be a structured settlement.
Personal injury settlements like these are known as a structured annuity because they are paid out over time, usually annually, rather than in a lump sum. Some lottery winnings are paid out this way, too.
Structured settlement annuity tends to be more beneficial financially than receiving a lump sum. A structured annuity settlement gives you your money over time, so there is less risk of spending the money quickly, and you will not be responsible for the taxes that come with it.
However, some people simply need the money faster than what personal injury settlements, or other structured annuity settlements, pay. In that case, some people opt for a structured settlement loan from the best-structured settlement companies.
Structured settlement loans will give you your annuity payment faster by borrowing against your settlement. To do this, you go through structured settlement annuity companies that will give you a loan for the amount you need.
Award Emblem: Top 6 Best Structured Settlement Companies
Alternatively, structured settlement companies will buy your annuity payments from you. In other words, you sell your annuity payments to structured settlement companies after they work through the legal system to do so.
Then, you receive your money from structured settlement annuity companies in the form of a lump sum, minus any company fees.
It can be difficult, though, to weed out the best structured settlement companies from scams. Since your money goes through the legal system, you want to make sure that the best structured settlement company is handling your case.
This 2017 ranking to the best structured settlement companies will highlight 6 of the best structured settlement company options to sell your structured annuity settlement to.
These companies will work with you to handle the case in court, since you will need to explain to the judge your reasoning for selling your structured settlement annuity. These best structured settlement companies are in excellent standing with the Better Business Bureau and previous and current customers.
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AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 6 Best Structured Settlement Companies
List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the structured settlement company names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that company):
- Fairfield Funding
- J.G. Wentworth
- Peachtree Financial Solutions
- SenecaOne Finance
- Settlement Capital
- Stone Street Capital
Top 6 Best Structured Settlement Companies | Brief Comparison & Ranking
Best Structured Settlement Companies | Better Business Bureau Score | Fees | Process Time |
| Fairfield Funding | A+ | Company pays notary, legal, court, processing, and bank fees | Within 45 days |
| J.G. Wentworth | A+ | 9% to 15% of settlement | 60 to 90 days |
| Peachtree Financial Solutions | A+ | Percentage of settlement | 60 to 90 days |
| SenecaOne Finance | A+ | No processing or legal fees, but percentage of settlement may apply | 45 to 90 days |
| Settlement Capital | A+ | Undisclosed percentage of settlement | 45 to 90 days |
| Stone Street Capital | A+ | Undisclosed percentage of settlement | 45 to 60 days |
Table: Top 6 Best Structured Settlement Companies | Above list is sorted alphabetically
What Should the Best Structured Settlement Company Do for You?
The best structured settlement company will work with you to get you the money you need, so long as you have an important reason for needing a lump sum instead of an annuity. Common reasons for selling structured settlements to the best structured settlement companies include:
- Paying off credit card debt
- High medical bills
- Purchasing a home
- Starting a business
- Losing a job
- Funding a college education
Once your cause has been deemed necessary for help, structured settlement companies will explain your options, such as selling your annuities or receiving a structured settlement loan borrowed against your settlement.
Image Source: Pexels
Make sure that you calculate your options wisely, both with the help of the settlement company and your own research. A structured settlement calculator can help you with this decision.
A structured settlement calculator will tell you how much your present value of your settlement is in contrast to its future value if you were to hold on to your annuity payments.
Remember that even the best structured settlement company makes money by helping you sell. This is usually in the form of a standard fee or a percentage of your settlement amount. Therefore, it will cost you a significant amount of money just to sell your settlement to structured settlement annuity companies.
Additionally, you will be responsible for tax penalties and tax payments on your lump sum, which is not an issue when you keep your annuity payments as-is.
When looking for structured settlement companies to help you in your current situation, consider the following:
- Does the company outline and explain all my options to me?
- What are the company’s fees?
- Will I be responsible for legal, bank, or other fees?
- How long will the company’s process take?
- Does the company provide a free quote and/or structured settlement calculator?
Check around several structured settlement annuity companies before choosing the one that is right for you.
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AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology
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Please click here “AdvisoryHQ’s Ranking Methodologies” for a detailed review of AdvisoryHQ’s selection methodologies for ranking top-rated credit cards, financial accounts, firms, products, and services.
Detailed Review—Top Ranking Best Structured Settlement Companies
Below, please find a detailed review of each best structured settlement company on our list of structured annuity settlement companies. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these structured settlement loans companies to score so high in our selection ranking.
Fairfield Funding Review
Fairfield Funding is a best structured settlement company that focuses strictly on purchasing a structured settlement rather than offering structured settlement loans, or other options.
However, you may qualify for a cash advance with Fairfield Funding if you are in dire need of some cash up front. In this case, you may be able to receive part of your structured annuity payment within 5 days of contacting a representative.
The Fairfield Funding team has more than 20 years of combined experience in the industry of structured settlement annuity companies.
The company offers prospective customers a free quote. You can compare your quote with your present value from a structured settlement calculator to determine if it’s best for you, financially, to sell your annuity.
Process and Fees
Fairfield Funding attempts to make your funds available to you within 45 days, which is faster than most structured settlement companies. Of course, this depends on the court process in your locality.
If you want to sell your annuity with Fairfield Funding, you’ll enter into a contract. Like other structured settlement companies, Fairfield Funding will allow you to decide if you want to sell all or part of your annuity.
Fairfield Funding will then work to set up your court date and pay all legal fees. According to the company, you will also not be charged any bank, notary, court, or processing fees. However, the company’s fees are undisclosed until you receive your quote.
J.G. Wentworth Review
J.G. Wentworth has been a leader of structured settlement annuity companies for about 25 years, being named one of the best structured settlement companies by Consumer Affairs and other ranking websites.
In recent years, the company has branched out to other financial products involving settlements, such as structured settlement loans, to give people more options over their settlements.
J.G. Wentworth is also a best structured settlement company for its pre-settlement funding option, which allows you to receive an advance on your funds while waiting for your case to settle in court.
Process and Fees
Although, like most structured settlement annuity companies, J.G. Wentworth does not disclose its fees on its website, you can find out more information by talking to a representative or obtaining a free quote. A few online sources say that the fees to sell your structured annuity settlement to the company range between 9% to 15% of your settled amount.
The full process to sell your annuity to J.G. Wentworth takes about 60 to 90 days. You can choose to sell some or all of your future payments. You’ll give the company the required paperwork for your structured settlement annuity, and representatives will work to settle your case with your court system.
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Peachtree Financial Solutions Review
Peachtree Financial Solutions is known as one of the most trusted structured settlement companies. The company has a loyal fan base that praises its customers service, ease of the selling process, and helpfulness during the process.
Peachtree Financial Solutions focuses on selling structured settlements, annuities, and lottery winnings. However, rather than a structured settlement loan, you can receive pre-settlement funding if you need money quickly and qualify for the cash advance.
Like other structured settlement companies on this list, this company has more than 20 years of experience buying payments from those who need cash most.
Process and Fees
Peachtree Financial Solutions assigns you a dedicated representative who you will work with throughout the settlement process. Your representative will explain your various options, based on your needs and your structured settlement, and will be available to answer your questions and explain the next steps.
This company will also try to find any documents you do not have readily available, or they will help you obtain them to streamline the process. Generally, you can expect to have your funds in about 60 to 90 days.
Like other structured settlement companies, Peachtree Financial Solutions takes a percentage of your settled amount, which is undisclosed until you speak with a representative about your situation.
SenecaOne Finance Review
SenecaOne Finance offers solutions for those looking to sell their structured settlements to structured settlement annuity companies. The company has been in business since 2002, putting the majority of its focus on aiding those with lottery winnings settlements.
SenecaOne Finance guarantees that its customers will receive one-on-one support from one of its specialists throughout its process. You will have your options explained in terms you understand, and you and your specialist will work toward resolving your case in the best way for your needs.
The company offers a structured annuity settlement cash advance, in the form of pre-settlement funds, for those who qualify.
Process and Fees
SenecaOne Finance says that its process usually takes anywhere from 45 to 90 days. Once you decide on a solution, you will forward the necessary paperwork to your representative. From there, your representative will process your paperwork and apply for a court date.
Once a judge approves the selling of your structured settlement annuity, SenecaOne will work to get you your money as fast as possible. You can choose to have it delivered via direct deposit or overnight mail.
This company is a good choice for best structured settlement company in that it will not charge you for processing or legal fees. However, like the other best structured settlement companies, you will be charged a percentage of your settlement.
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Settlement Capital Review
Settlement Capital is a best structured settlement company with more than 25 years of experience in getting customers their money faster. For a minimum funding amount of $10,000, Settlement Capital will work with the court system to allow you to sell your structured annuity payments.
Settlement Capital is unique in that, with the help of other structured settlement companies, it formed the National Association of Settlement Purchasers (NASP). The trade group helps people fight for their rights to sell their structured annuity payments.
Process and Fees
The full process for this company should take between 45 to 90 days, which is standard for structured settlement annuity companies. You can receive a free quote, and a specialist will then work with you to obtain the required documents and set up a court date. The company will also provide you with a document outlining the specifics of what you are selling and what it is buying.
After the judge approves your sale, you can expect to receive your funds in about 7 to 15 days. Like some structured settlement companies, Settlement Capital provides a Quick Cash Advance program for you to receive some of your money before your case goes to court.
Settlement Capital fees will be a percentage of your settlement, and will be disclosed by your specialist after obtaining a free quote.
Stone Street Capital Review
Stone Street Capital is a best structured settlement company located in Maryland. The company has more than 25 years of experience, making it one of the first structured settlement annuity companies in the industry.
If you receive structured settlement, annuity, or lottery payments, Stone Street Capital may be able to help you sell. The company will contact the original vendor of your payments and work to reach an agreement for buying out your future payments.
You can receive a one-on-one consultation free with one of Stone Street Capital’s specialists to determine the best solution for you, obtain required documents, and set up a court process if you decide to move forward with the company.
Process and Fees
Stone Street Capital is one of the structured settlement annuity companies that allows you to obtain a free quote. A specialist will help tailor your options to your needs, and you can decide if the company and its options are right for you.
The total process for submitting and processing paperwork and going through the court is said to take between 45 and 90 days with this best structured settlement company. After the hearing date, Stone Street Capital says it will take about 2 to 4 weeks to receive your money.
Although its specific fees are not disclosed until you receive your custom quote, you will likely pay a percentage of your settlement to Stone Street Capital.
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Conclusion—Top 6 Structured Settlement Companies
The best structured settlement companies in this review are ones with years of experience and proven track records for helping people sell their lottery winnings, annuities, and structured settlements for a lump sum.
These best structured settlement companies on the list are excellent choices to begin your research if you are sure you want to sell your future payments.
Image Source: Pexels
It is wise to choose two or three of these structured settlement companies and obtain free quotes. You are not obligated to move forward with any company just for obtaining a quote, and your quote will allow you to understand more about the company’s fees, process, and how it can help your financial needs.
Once you obtain a quote from structured settlement annuity companies, do some more research on your own. Use a structured settlement calculator to determine which offer will have the most positive impact on your final lump sum.
After choosing the best structured settlement company for you, work diligently with your specialist to ensure timely paperwork processing. Be available should he or she have further questions or paperwork requests. This will help the process move smoothly so you can receive your money in the shortest amount of time possible.
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Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ’s Terms for details. Also review each firm’s site for the most updated data, rates and info.
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