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Using A Broker To Get Cash For Structured Settlement Plans

By Allie Sanchez
Mar 25, 2009
If you are considering selling off your structured settlement plan then your first aim should be to get the most money that you can for it. This won't equal the amount that you would necessarily get from your plan if you let it run on but it could give you a useful cash sum.

Some people will try and sell their settlement direct to an institution or an individual that buys these kinds of plans. There's no reason why this shouldn't work for you but you should also investigate using a broker or an agent to sell it on your behalf as well. This could see you offered more money for your structured settlement in the long run.

A structured settlement broker or agent works just like any kind of broker. They represent you to a variety of contacts in their sector who have a track record or interest in buying these kinds of annuity plans. This could mean that your settlement is offered to a larger number of buyers than you could source for yourself.

You do need to be careful to choose the right broker or agent here, however. They should be professional, experienced and have a solid track record of working in the best interests of their clients. They should also have plenty of suitable buying contacts to make your choice here worthwhile.

In simple terms a broker that can give you ten cash buyers for your settlement plan will probably be giving broader options than one who only offers two. The more contacts a broker/agent has, the broader the spread of offers you will be able to compare. This can be a quick and easy way to finding the highest cash offer for your plan with the least effort on your part.

Bear in mind, however, that some brokers will only work with a certain number of lenders whilst others will work on a market-wide basis. If a broker only works with certain buyers then he/she may be doing so because they pay a higher commission than if they had no market affiliations. You may, therefore, be better off working with a broker who does not have these restrictions or commission considerations and who can approach more potential buyers.

A good broker will be up front and honest with you in terms of the returns he/she thinks that you will receive and where they will market your plan for sale. At this stage it is recommended that you ask how many buyers they will approach or have contacts with.

You may find in some cases that brokers from larger brokerage firms naturally have more contacts than small independent brokers. However, this is not always the case and it is worth talking to a variety of brokers/agents to see what they can offer you. Remember, it is in the best interest of a broker/agent to get the best deal that they can for you as the commission that the buyer pays them may well be based on the amount that the buyer has to pay when an agreement is reached.
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