What Structured Settlement Companies Do
Structured settlement companies purchase future periodic payments from individuals who received legal settlements and need cash now. Instead of waiting years or decades for scheduled payments, you can sell some or all of your future payments to one of these companies in exchange for an immediate lump sum.
Every transaction requires court approval under your state's Structured Settlement Protection Act (SSPA), a consumer protection framework supported by the National Structured Settlements Trade Association (NSSTA). A judge or responsible administrative authority must review the sale and confirm it is in your best interest before the transfer becomes effective. Some companies may offer optional cash advances before final approval. This legal safeguard exists to protect you, but the company you choose to work with still matters enormously. The right company will offer a competitive discount rate, handle all court filings, be transparent about costs, and treat you with respect throughout the process. The wrong company can cost you thousands of dollars, delay your funding, or pressure you into a deal that is not in your best interest.
Below, we compare the most prominent structured settlement companies operating in 2026 and explain what to look for when choosing a buyer for your payments.
Structured Settlement Company Comparison
A side-by-side look at the top companies that buy structured settlements in 2026.
| Company | Est. | BBB Rating | Specialties | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina Structured Funding (CSF) | 2011 | A+ | SS, Annuities, Lottery, Probate Advances | 4 attorneys on staff, life contingent specialist, multi-service |
| J.G. Wentworth | 1991 | A+ | SS, Annuities, Home Equity | Largest in industry, nationwide TV ads |
| Peachtree Financial Solutions | 1996 | A+ | SS, Annuities, Pre-settlement funding | Brand of J.G. Wentworth |
| RSL Funding | 1980 | Not Rated | SS | Competitive rates, smaller operation |
| CBC Settlement Funding | 2008 | A+ | SS, Lottery | Focus on structured settlements and lottery |
| Fairfield Funding | 2008 | A+ | SS | Smaller, personalized service |
| DRB Capital | 2013 | A+ | SS, Annuities | Newer entrant, competitive pricing |
| Stone Street Capital | 1990 | A+ | SS, Annuities | Brand of J.G. Wentworth |
| Strategic Capital | 2001 | A+ | SS | Smaller operation |
Swipe to see all columns →
BBB ratings and founding dates sourced from BBB profiles as of April 2026. Ratings may change; verify directly with the Better Business Bureau (opens in a new tab).
What to Look for in a Structured Settlement Company
Choosing the right company can mean the difference between a smooth, fair transaction and one that costs you thousands of dollars or months of unnecessary delays. Here are the most important factors to evaluate before you sign anything.
Licensing and State Registrations
Many states require structured settlement purchasers to register or obtain a license before doing business in that state. Ask any company you are considering whether they are properly registered in your state. A reputable company will have no problem providing this information. Operating without proper registration is a serious red flag.
BBB Rating and Complaint History
A Better Business Bureau rating is one of the most accessible indicators of a company's track record. Look beyond the letter grade and read actual customer complaints and how the company responded. A pattern of unresolved complaints is more telling than the rating itself. Most companies in our comparison table hold an A or A+ rating, though ratings can change and some companies may be unrated.
Discount Rate Transparency
The discount rate determines how much of your future payment value you receive as a lump sum today. Rates typically range from 9% to 18%, but the key is transparency. A trustworthy company will provide a written quote that clearly states the discount rate, the total lump sum, and any deductions. If a company refuses to put the numbers in writing, walk away.
Court Filing and Legal Support
Every structured settlement sale requires court approval. Some companies handle all court filings, scheduling, and legal paperwork on your behalf at no cost. Others may charge you for these services or leave you to coordinate with the court yourself. Make sure you understand who is responsible for the legal process and whether any fees apply.
Attorney Involvement
Companies with licensed attorneys on staff can handle the court approval process more efficiently and protect your interests throughout the transaction. Attorney involvement is especially important for complex cases, such as life contingent payments, multi-party settlements, or cases involving minor beneficiaries.
Experience with Your Payment Type
Not all structured settlement payments are the same. Guaranteed (period certain) payments are straightforward, but life contingent payments require specialized underwriting. If your settlement includes life contingent payments, make sure the company you choose has demonstrable experience purchasing them. Many companies simply cannot or will not buy life contingent payments.
Speed of Funding
While the court approval process typically takes 30 to 60 days regardless of which company you choose, some companies offer cash advances so you can access a portion of your funds before the court hearing. Ask whether advances are available and what, if any, cost is associated with them.
How Catalina Structured Funding Compares
CSF is a mid-size firm that competes with the largest players in the industry on price and service while offering a level of legal expertise and personalized attention that bigger companies often cannot match. Here is what makes CSF different:
Four licensed attorneys on staff. This is rare in the structured settlement industry. Most companies outsource their legal work or rely on a single in-house counsel. CSF's legal team handles court filings, compliance, and customer communication directly. You can review the full team on our leadership page.
Multi-service firm. Unlike companies that only purchase structured settlements, CSF also buys annuity payments, lottery winnings, and provides probate advances. This breadth means we have experience handling a wider range of financial instruments and court requirements.
Life contingent payment specialist. CSF is one of the few companies that actively and regularly purchases life contingent structured settlement payments. If your settlement includes payments that continue "for life" rather than for a fixed period, CSF has the underwriting expertise and funding partners to provide a competitive offer.
Transparent pricing. The lump sum CSF quotes is the amount you receive. We never deduct costs for court filings, document preparation, or administrative processing. Every quote includes a written disclosure statement so you understand exactly how the numbers work.
Transparent discount rates. We provide written quotes that clearly state the discount rate, the gross and net lump sum, and the total value of payments being sold. We encourage you to compare our offer with any other company in the industry.
What Customers Say About Switching Companies
Customers who have worked with multiple structured settlement companies before finding CSF consistently report higher offers, better communication, and a more personal approach. Here is what they told us.
“Catalina Structured Settlements offers the best rates around, and my experience with them was by far the smoothest yet. They maintained consistent communication throughout the process, ensuring I was always informed. I had the pleasure of working with Ian as my representative, and I can confidently say this company prioritizes helping customers without resorting to aggressive sales tactics, a refreshing change after my experience with JGW.”
Lawrence R. | Google Review
“Hands down the best structured settlement funding company around. I worked with JG Wentworth for many years prior to finding Catalina and I wish I could have found them sooner. They take the time to explain selling options, and will draw up other options for funding, if the ones provided initially don't work for your needs at the time.”
T M. | Google Review
“Catalina structure funding was the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. I had become sick about 1 year ago and the medical bills were starting to stack up. And I didn't have any other income coming in. I first started with JG Wentworth and I could not get a hold of anyone so I looked up Structure Settlement Sell Annuity Payments and that was the start of my great experience.”
Alex P. | Google Review
Read more customer reviews or learn why customers switch from JG Wentworth to CSF.
Companies to Avoid: Red Flags
Most structured settlement companies operate ethically, but there are bad actors in every industry. Watch out for these warning signs when evaluating a company:
- Pressure tactics and urgency language. A legitimate company will give you time to review your options. If someone tells you the offer expires today or pressures you to sign immediately, that is a red flag. Court approval takes weeks regardless. There is no reason to rush the decision.
- Refusing to provide written quotes. Every reputable company will put their offer in writing, including the discount rate, lump sum amount, and any fees. If a company will only discuss numbers verbally, move on.
- Unclear pricing or vague discount rates. Ask specifically: "Is the amount you quoted the amount I will receive, or will costs be deducted?" Some companies advertise a lump sum figure and then deduct thousands in costs at closing.
- No BBB listing or unresolved complaints. A company with no BBB presence at all may be too new or too small to have a track record. Check the BBB website directly and read complaint details.
- Cannot explain the court process. If a company representative cannot clearly explain how the court approval process works in your state, they may lack the experience to handle your transaction properly.
How the Selling Process Works
Regardless of which company you choose, selling structured settlement payments follows the same basic legal process in every state:
- Get quotes. Contact one or more companies and provide basic information about your payments (amount, frequency, duration, issuing insurance company). You will receive a lump sum offer, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
- Accept an offer and sign documents. Once you choose a company and accept an offer, the company prepares all required legal documents, including the purchase agreement and court petition.
- Court approval. A judge reviews the transaction under your state's Structured Settlement Protection Act to confirm the sale is in your best interest. The company handles filing and scheduling.
- Receive your lump sum. After the court grants approval, funds are transferred to you, typically within a few business days of the court order.
The entire process usually takes 30 to 60 days. For a more detailed walkthrough, visit our structured settlements overview page.
What is the best structured settlement company?
The best structured settlement company is one that offers competitive discount rates with full transparency, ensures the amount quoted is the amount the seller receives, provides a written disclosure statement with every offer, and has experienced attorneys who handle the entire court approval process. Look for a company with a strong track record, including a BBB rating, verifiable customer reviews, and years of industry experience. Catalina Structured Funding holds a BBB A+ rating (accredited since 2015) and has completed more than 4,000 transactions since 2011. We provide free, no-obligation quotes and the amount we quote is the amount you receive. Get your free quote or call (800) 317-3769.