Who Buys Structured Settlements? All 26 Licensed Buyers Ranked (2026)

Market Share: Who Dominates the Industry?

The structured settlement buying industry is heavily concentrated. JG Wentworth and its subsidiary brands (Peachtree Financial Solutions, Stone Street Capital, Stone Street Originations, Settlement Funding LLC) control approximately 62% of all transactions. This makes getting quotes from independent buyers critical — without competition, you may receive a below-market offer.

Discount Rate Ranges by Buyer

The discount rate is the single biggest factor determining your payout. Lower rates mean more money in your pocket. This chart shows the advertised ranges for established buyers — your actual rate depends on payment type, size, duration, and issuing insurer.

Complete Ranking: All 26 Licensed Buyers (2026)

This is the most comprehensive buyer database published anywhere. Data sourced from Minnesota Secretary of State registration records, Georgia buyer registry, BBB profiles, company websites, court filings, and industry research.

Showing 26 of 26 buyers. Data from MN SOS registry, BBB profiles, company websites, RetirementLiving.com reviews. June 2026.

Average Days to Funding by Buyer

The court approval process drives the timeline — not the buyer. However, experienced buyers who file correctly the first time avoid delays. Companies with in-house attorneys and experience in your specific court tend to close faster.

Estimated Payout Comparison (Same Payment Stream)

This chart shows estimated lump-sum offers from the top 5 established buyers for the same guaranteed payment stream (60 monthly payments, highly-rated insurer). Actual offers vary — always get written quotes.

Top 10 Buyers: Detailed Profiles

Who to Avoid: Red Flags & Defunct Companies

Not every company in this space operates ethically. The CFPB shut down Access Funding in 2016 for paying lead-paint victims only 30 cents on the dollar and steering vulnerable consumers into sales. Here are the warning signs and companies no longer in business:

10 Questions to Ask Every Buyer Before Signing

Use this checklist with every company you contact. Companies that can't answer these clearly should be eliminated:

Direct Funders vs. Brokers vs. Lead Generators

Understanding who you're actually dealing with can save you thousands of dollars. Here's the critical distinction:

State Registration Requirements

Seven states require structured settlement buyers to formally register and post a surety bond before conducting business. If you live in one of these states, verify your buyer is registered:

In all other states, buyers must still comply with the local Structured Settlement Protection Act and obtain court approval for every transfer. The lack of a registration requirement doesn't mean the industry is unregulated — it means the court serves as the primary regulator. Source: Minnesota SOS, state insurance departments.

Regulatory Enforcement: The Access Funding Case

In 2016, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed suit against Access Funding LLC for systematically exploiting lead-paint victims in Baltimore. The company paid approximately 30 cents on the dollar for structured settlement payment rights — far below the industry standard of 60-90 cents. Access Funding also steered consumers to a single attorney who rubber-stamped deals rather than providing genuine independent advice.

This case established important precedent: federal consumer protection agencies will intervene when structured settlement buyers engage in predatory practices, even though the primary regulation happens at the state court level.

Frequently Asked Questions

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