In traditional settlements, compensation for damages has usually consisted of a single cash payment. History has shown that this money is often unwisely managed and quickly spent, leaving no funds available to provide for future needs. Alternative arrangements know as structured settlements were created in the 1980's. Under these arrangements the beneficiary would receive cash structured settlement payments on a periodic basis. This guaranteed stream of annuity payments could be paid over a period of months, years or a complete lifetime.
Federal and state laws have been created as part of a nationwide policy encouraging the use of structured settlements over cash payments in cases involving injuries. These structures are a favored means of providing annuity income to a beneficiary and reducing their risk of rapidly spending the capital proceeds from a cash settlement. In some cases, former recipients have found themselves with no cash flow, relying on loans for family living expenses. Others have had to rely on direct public assistance as a source of support for the rest of their life. To encourage their use, favorable tax treatment rules have been extended to the cash received under a structured settlement agreement.
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