Market Update

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As our nation grapples with the containment and treatment of individuals affected by or exposed to COVID-19, I remain fully open for business providing the same efficient, comprehensive service you have come to expect.

In these unprecedented times, ensuring that we have a full and complete understanding of the needs of each individual client is more important than ever. 

As a plaintiff attorney, a bear market can dramatically affect you and your injured clients. Suddenly you are left scrambling to protect your clients, keep your firm’s finances in order, and manage your retirement nest egg.

How to Survive a Volatile Market

Surviving a volatile financial market comes down to one thing: diversification. If your clients have been taking their settlements in cash or you have been accepting your contingency fees in a cash lump sum, it’s time to rethink your game plan. We are available to assist you in considering viable alternatives. 

Challenges Facing Claimants 

Injured claimants face a variety of obstacles when settling a case, regardless of the state of the economy. Claimants accepting lump sum cash settlements during volatile financial times are even more susceptible to:

? Family and “friends” asking for money

? Predatory financial “advisors”

? Emotional spending

? Poor investment choices

? Loss of needs-based government benefits.

Structured Settlement Annuities: Long Term Safety & Security

A structured settlement annuity provides what no other financial product can promise: a guaranteed1 safety net during difficult financial times. Kiplinger’s agrees. In a recent article, the personal finance site listed annuities as one of the top five tools to make retirement savings last. By utilizing structured settlement annuities as a safety net to cover basic living expenses, the remainder of your or your client’s portfolio can be diversified to include more aggressive investments. Even the structured settlement annuity payments can be reinvested down the line to offset current low interest rates. 

Diversification Options for Plaintiff Attorneys and Claimants

By working with Jay Scarola, your trusted Sage settlement consultant, you and your clients have access to a range of financial vehicles that will help create a diverse portfolio that balances safety and growth potential. 

Insurance-Based Options

? Structured Settlement Annuity: Flexible payment design, guaranteed1 payments, no overhead or annual fees

? Deferred Income Annuity (DIA): Payments starting after 12 months, guaranteed and lifetime payments, no underwriting

? Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA): Lump sums, lifetime or annuitization (period certain & life) with guarantee of principal and upside tied to an index (S&P 500 or similar)

? Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA): Fixed rate and guaranteed payments for a specific term, guarantee of principal

Market-Based Options

? Settlements Plus?: For the plaintiff looking for tax-deferral and market-based returns, who does not need the settlement proceeds to be guaranteed payments

? Fee Structure Plus?: For any contingency fee attorney looking for tax-deferral, market-based returns, and the ability to use their own financial advisor

? Investment Accounts: Low-cost platforms offering financial education and investment management services

Trust Solutions

? Special Needs Trusts, Pooled Trusts, Minors’ Trusts, Settlement Preservation Trusts and more: Depending on the claimant’s age, needs, income, and level of disability, options are available to preserve settlement proceeds while providing for life’s necessities

Contact Jay Today

Do not let fear get the best of you and your clients. By taking a proactive approach, you can face any financial downturn with confidence in your financial choices. Contact us today to learn more.

Please contact me today at (561) 629-4992 with any consulting needs you may have.