Hi there.  J.G. Wentworth here. 

Over the years, I’ve been approached many times by individuals wanting to know if they could buy, as an investment, the structured settlement payment streams we buy from our customers. 

Though it would be quite easy for us to sell the stream of payments we buy to any number of individuals, I have always politely but firmly said “no”. 

This is anything but a flip answer.  In the 20 years since we created a market for structured settlement payments, I’ve had plenty of time to consider this question.  Early on, I reached the conclusion that structured settlement payment streams were not appropriate for individual investors.  Time has only increased my conviction. 

Conceptually, structured settlement payment streams are simple.  In reality, these so called “cash flows” are quite complex, and present risks that I feel are difficult for individual investors to fully appreciate.

Testimony to these complexities and risks is aptly demonstrated by the tremendous effort on our part to make bonds backed by structured settlements appropriate even for institutional investors. 

First we must buy payment streams where our right to receive the payments is indisputable.  For instance, outstanding tax liens and child support obligations against the seller could interfere with our rights to receive future payments we’ve purchased.  We must find out about these things before we put out a lot of money to buy payments. 

Next, we must offer the bonds in layers – I believe the word on Wall Street is “tranches” – where we hold onto the first layer.  That’s because in the event there are any losses in the pool of structured payments, they are absorbed first by the “tranche” that is owned by J.G. Wentworth.  Another way to say this is we have to eat our own cooking!

Finally, once we create the bonds backed by structured settlement payments, we engage a third party, a bond rating agency like Moody’s, to review and rate the bond offering.  This helps sophisticated institutional investors further assess the creditworthiness of the bonds. 

Mind you, this is what we do to make the bonds appropriate for sophisticated institutional investors.  I can’t imagine what else we would have to do to even asses whether they could be made appropriate for individuals. 

The question of risk and complexity aside, we’re simply not in the business of selling investments or insurance products to individuals.  It doesn’t matter which label you use, insurance or investments, the fact is, these industries are regulated for a reason- to protect consumers. 

Don’t get me wrong.  I like to help people with their finances.  That’s why we started this business in the first place.  But the assistance we offer is focused on helping folks get back on their feet to pay off bills, buy a car to get to work, get the medical attention they need, or buy the house they want. 

So if someone approaches you with an investment “opportunity” in structured settlements, the first thought that comes to mind is “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” 

Hi everyone.  J.G. Wentworth here. 

You know the old saying:  People in glass boxes shouldn’t throw stones. 

Of course there’s a corollary to that:  Unless they need to get at their money.  This in a nutshell is the idea behind our new television commercial called Glass Box. 

This new commercial is an animation which features a man looking at a very large, locked glass box full of his own money, which is fed to him just a few bills at a time through a dispenser on the front.   It’s almost exactly like the situation anyone faces who gets structured settlement payments – lots of potential cash, but sometimes not enough at any point in time for what you want to do.  That is until yours truly shows up with a key and unlocks the glass box, allowing cash to flow freely.

I think it’s a terrific commercial, because in the simplest terms that’s what we do:  allow folks to access their own cash so they can do what they want to with their money.  If you need cash, and it’s sitting in a glass box somewhere, why not give us a call and let’s see if we can unlock it for you. 

High everyone.  J.G. Wentworth here. 

When I was a lad, I was a Boy Scout and it was one of the happiest times in my life.  The Boy Scout oath was, and still is, burned into my brain.  It goes . . . A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.  

Many times I’ve privately thought about what a Wentworth Oath for our account representatives might look and sound like.  I put pen to paper and jotted down a few thoughts and came up with the following:   

 “A J.G Wentworth account representative is hardworking, motivated, outgoing, optimistic, empathetic, assertive, friendly and well-organized. He or she maintains a strong sense of team spirit coupled with a strong sense of loyalty to the company and, above all, to clients.”

Yep.  I think that just about sums things up.  What I hope this means for our customers is rapid access to the cash they need to enable them to do the things they want, while enjoying a superb customer service experience.  That’s a tall order I know, but I assure you, I’ve taken a solemn oath to make sure that’s what we deliver.  

Hi everyone.  J.G. Wentworth here.

I’ve been a keen observer of everything financial since I was younger.  It’s probably no surprise that what I really like are expressions about business and finance.  Here’s a few favorites: 

A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain.   – Robert Frost

If you want to know the value of money, go try to borrow some.  – Benjamin Franklin

Money talks, and it is the only conversation worth hearing when times are bad.   – Fred Allen

He that can work is born a king of something.  – Thomas Carlyle

If all the economists in the world were laid end to end, they would still not reach a conclusion.   – George Bernard Shaw

Just some food for thought. Of course there’s my favorite saying about structured settlements.  I’m sure you’ve already heard it, but its worth repeating every now and then, “It’s your money use it when you need it!”

Hi everyone.  J.G. Wentworth here.  As promised in my last blog post, here are some more common terms you are likely to come across when you are selling some or all of your structured settlement payments.   You’ve made the smart choice about getting your finances in order, now here’s a chance to get smarter about selling your payments!

Hope you find these helpful!

Net Present Value

The amount of cash today that is the equivalent in value to cash to be received in the future based on a specific discount rate.  Sounds hard, but it’s easy.  This is the amount of cash J.G. Wentworth can get you today for your future payments!

Notarize

The act of a notary witnessing a person signing a document.  Many legal documents require a notarized signature.  We know thousands of notaries across the country, and can even get one to show up to your home or work if you need assistance. 

Payment Stream

Payments received periodically from a structured settlement or an annuity.  This is the cash you are getting now.  If it’s not enough to meet your current needs, contact J.G. Wentworth!

Personal Injury

An injury to a person's body or mind, as the result of an accident.  Hope this didn’t happen to you . . . but if you got a structured settlement as a result of an injury, we can help you get lump sum now!

Structured Settlement Agreement

The agreement, judgment, stipulation or release embodying the terms of a structured settlement, including the rights of the payee to receive periodic payments.  No job is finished until the paperwork is done!  You’ll need to find your structured settlement agreement if you want to sell payments. 

Structured Settlement Obligor

The party that has the continuing periodic payment obligation to the payee under a structured settlement agreement or a qualified assignment agreement.  AKA the insurance company.  We’ve worked with lots of them to help folks get their cash more quickly.  Chances are we’ve worked with yours!

From time to time, I’ll update the Terms You Should Know thread in my blog entries.  You can never be equipped with enough information when making an important decision.  

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Hi everyone.  J.G. Wentworth here. 

Listen, if you are considering selling some or all of your structured settlement payments, congratulations.  I’m sure you’ve reviewed the alternatives, and are making the smartest choice available to you at this time. 

Make another smart choice:  Come to J.G. Wentworth.  Now that you’ve made the decision to sell some or all of your payments, we’re here to help you choose the best alternative for you to get your money. 

Below are some terms that might come up during your conversation with our representative, along with a little more information about them. 

Annuitant

The individual on whose life the annuity is based and generally the person receiving or entitled to the structured settlement or annuity payments.  In short that’s you.  And we’ve worked with more than 50,000 people just like you to help them get cash. 

Court Order

A legally binding ruling issued by a judge or properly empowered administrative officer.  This is what happens at the end of the structured settlement sales process.  J.G. Wentworth has helped more people get to this point than any other company. 

Court Order Attorney

This attorney files a petition for court approval of an annuity or structured settlement payment transfer.  In a structured settlement sale, the court order attorney works for J.G. Wentworth.  Since we’ve done business in just about every county in the U.S., we’ve worked with lots of these attorneys to complete successful transactions.

Discount Rate

The interest rate used to compute the present value of future cash flows.  Right now our rates couldn’t be better, which mean more cash for you when you sell your payments.

Liquidity

The ability to have ready access to money.  At J.G. Wentworth, this is what we do by converting your illiquid future payments into cash you can use today!

Lump Sum

A sum of money paid in a single installment.  Just kidding!  I’m sure you know what a lump sum is.  It’s why you called us in the first place!

So stayed tuned and we’ll go over some more terms that you may have questions about when you work with one of our representatives. 

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Hi everyone.  J.G. Wentworth here. 

In my last blog entry, I told you about how to get ready to sell your structured settlement payments.  I’d like to continue that entry with three more steps you should take before moving ahead with a transaction. 

Get options.  There are many, many different ways to break up your payments and sell them to get the cash you want.  For instance, you could sell just a quarter of your regular payment for several years, or you could sell all of your payments  for a much shorter period of time to raise the same amount of cash now.  Get lots of options and figure out which one works for you.

Locate and organize your settlement documentation.  In order to complete your transaction, you will need to produce significant documentation, including your settlement agreement, annuity contract, and other insurance company information.  By having it on hand you can speed up your transaction.

Ensure the structured settlement company you are working with is reputable.  Of course I hope you are working with us!  Then you know you are dealing with a reputable outfit.  But if by chance you are not, I strongly urge you to check things out.  I hate to say it, but not everyone has the same high standards we do. 

If you follow steps one through six outlined in Part I and Part II of this blog entry, you’re well on your way to being a better, smarter consumer.  And the smarter you are, the better you can do negotiating a transaction that works for you.  Remember what I always say:  “It’s your money, use it when you need it.” 

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YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/jgwentworth
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Hi everyone.  J.G. Wentworth here. 

There are a surprisingly large number of folks out there who don’t do the proper amount of planning before they sell their structured settlement.  Because of this, I thought I’d outline the steps we recommend our customers follow before selling some or all of their settlement payments. 

Review your structured settlement.  There may be features about it you forgot or didn’t quite understand at the time of the settlement.  For instance, there may be adjustments in your payments for inflation, or larger payments on special dates, or some of your payments may be “non guaranteed.”  All of these features will affect the lump sum payment you can get now. 

Evaluate the role your settlement plays in your monthly budget.  What percentage of your monthly expenses is covered by your settlement payments?  If it’s a lot, and you sell some or all of your payments, you’ve got to consider how you will deal with the shortfall in your budget.  If it’s a little, then you have many more options available for drawing a lump sum from your settlement payments. 

Understand your precise cash needs.  It’s difficult to know how many or what portion of each of your payments to sell when you don’t know how much cash you are trying to raise.  Moreover,  if you underestimate how much cash you’ll need, you may need to sell more payments later on. 

Stay tuned for my next blog entry, where I’ll discuss three more aspects of getting ready to sell your payments. 

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Hi everyone.  J.G. Wentworth here. 

In my last blog entry, I told you about all the training we do here, and what some of the characteristics of a well trained account representative are.   I’d like to continue that entry with three more tell tale signs you are working with a well trained pro. 

Works quickly:  Chances are, if you want to sell your structured settlement payments, you have a financial challenge you need to solve in a hurry.  A well trained account representative understands this, and works with you to move your transaction along, not slow it down. 

Prepares you for court:  The sale of structured settlement payments often means a quick appearance before a judge.  A well trained account representative understands this process, and can work with you to make sure you are ready for your appearance and help facilitate getting the Judge’s approval. 

Works with creditors:  Sometimes folks who sell structured settlement payments have creditors literally knocking at their door.  A well trained account representative will volunteer to talk to these creditors on your behalf, explain the transaction you are engaged in, and provide a sense of timing regarding when you will have the cash to pay them. 

Believe me, there’s a lot of training that goes into making sure our account representatives can help you in the way outlined above.  But don’t take my word for it.  Give us a call at 866-434-5719. 

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Hi everyone.  J.G. Wentworth here. 

We spend so much time and energy training our account representatives to help you with selling your structured settlement payment streams. 

Here’s the some of the hallmarks of a well-trained account representative: 

Foregoes the hard sell:  A well trained account representative does not use a hard sell, but rather listens carefully so that he or she can knowledgeably discuss your options. 

Creates a variety of options:  There’s more than one way to skin a cat.  And in fact, when it comes to selling structured settlement payments, there are almost limitless combinations you can use.  A well trained account representative will present you a variety options and help you choose the one that’s best for you. 

Helps you gather documents:  There’s a lot of paperwork in the sale of structured settlement payment streams.  A trained account representative will help you identify, find and gather these documents to speed you on your way to getting the cash you need.

Stay tuned for my next blog entry, where I’ll discuss three more characteristics of a well trained account representative. 

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