One of America’s preeminent financial advisors has important advice for those benefiting from a structured settlement. “The periodic payments provide ongoing income and reduce the risk of blowing a lump sum through poor financial choices,” she writes in a new column on Oprah.com.

And now her warning: “In many states, you can sell your rights to periodic payments to a company that will pay you a lump sum today. Doing so, I realize, is tempting, but it's typically not smart.”

To read the full column, click HERE.

USA Today calls Orman “a force in the world of personal finance” and a “one-woman financial advice powerhouse.” A two-time Emmy Award-winning television host and New York Times bestselling author, Orman is one of America's most recognized expert on personal finance. She also hosts The Suze Orman Show, which airs Saturday nights on CNBC.

In related news, the Governor of North Dakota, John Hoeven, recently signed legislation establishing new consumer protections on the sales of future structured settlement payments. North Dakota becomes the 47th state to enact a structured settlement protection act. The bill takes effect August 1, 2009.

About structured settlements and the NSSTA:

A structured settlement provides unmatched financial security to victims of physical injuries and their families. Using a tailored stream of payments, a structured settlement provides long-term tax- free income, often for a lifetime. The National Structured Settlements Trade Association (NSSTA) represents more than 600 licensed insurance brokers, insurance companies, and others involved in establishing and administering structured settlements. 

Return to NSSTA News and Media Resource Page