What Is a Structured Settlement Payment?

Formally recognized by the federal government since 1983, structured settlement payments are specified in voluntary settlement agreements between and injury victims and defendant(s). A settlement payment or annuity comes as the result of a contract between a victim and a defendant whereby the injured victim receives a stream of tax-free settlement payments as an annuity tailored to meet their future needs instead of receiving one lump sum. Once a structured settlement payment agreement is reached, the plaintiff cannot make changes.

Structured settlement payments are used more frequently these days because they offer substantial benefits to all parties involved in the structured settlement agreement. Victims receive tax-free payments and defendants get an end to litigation as the result of reaching a structured settlement agreement.