Structured settlements provide a secure, tax-advantaged way for plaintiffs in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and other litigation cases to receive payouts over time instead of lump sums. Central to this financial arrangement are the structured settlement annuity issuers—the life insurance companies that back the periodic payments. Their financial strength, reliability, and product flexibility determine the long-term success of these settlements.
In 2025, understanding who the top structured settlement annuity issuers are, what to look for when choosing one, and how to verify their legitimacy is crucial for claimants, attorneys, brokers, and financial professionals alike.
What Is a Structured Settlement Annuity Issuer?
A structured settlement annuity issuer is a licensed life insurance company authorized to issue annuities funding the periodic payments of structured settlements. These companies purchase a premium from the defendant or their insurance carrier, then contractually guarantee regular payments to the claimant.
Key attributes of issuers include:
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High financial strength to guarantee payment obligations.
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Licensing in multiple states to serve diverse client locations.
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Extensive experience and specialization in structured settlements.
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Flexibility in payment option designs.
Why Financial Strength and Reputation Matter
Because structured settlements can span decades, payment stability is essential. The issuer’s claims-paying ability backed by financial strength ratings from independent agencies like A.M. Best, Moody’s, and Standard & Poor’s provides assurance that periodic payments will continue without disruption.
An insurer with a history of prudent risk management and conservative underwriting reduces the risk of payment default or company insolvency that can jeopardize settlement security.
Top Structured Settlement Annuity Issuers in 2025
Several life insurance companies lead the structured settlement annuity market in 2025 based on their high financial ratings, footprint, and product innovation. Here are the most trusted issuers:
1. New York Life Insurance Company
New York Life is lauded as one of America’s oldest and financially strongest life insurers with an A++ rating from A.M. Best. Their structured settlement annuities are highly customizable and backed by an unmatched history of reliability. New York Life has been providing structured settlements to clients for over 50 years.
2. MetLife (Metropolitan Life Insurance Company)
Holding an A+ rating from A.M. Best, MetLife is a top issuer with deep expertise in structured settlements. Known for flexible qualified and non-qualified settlement solutions, MetLife combines a global presence with a strong financial foundation.
3. Prudential Financial
Prudential offers A+ rated annuities and is widely respected for efficient underwriting and comprehensive payment programs. Their structured settlement products often include options to address inflation and beneficiary continuation.
4. Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company
Berkshire Hathaway stands out with an A++ rating for exceptional financial strength and conservative management. Their growing presence as a structured settlement annuity issuer provides consumers peace of mind backed by one of the most powerful conglomerates.
5. Pacific Life Insurance Company
Pacific Life retains its A+ rating with the ability to provide indexed and fixed annuities for structured settlements. Their offerings provide innovative options to balance payment growth and capital preservation.
6. American National Insurance Company (ANICO)
ANICO, with an A rating from A.M. Best, boasts unmatched longevity and stability. Due to its conservative underwriting philosophy, ANICO remains a preferred issuer in many structured settlement transactions.
7. Athene Annuity & Life Company
Emerging as a major player in 2025, Athene (A+ rated) combines strong backing from Apollo Global Management with specialized structured settlement annuity products tailored for modern financial needs.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Issuer
Financial professionals and claimants should evaluate:
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Financial Ratings: Prioritize issuers with A or higher A.M. Best ratings and strong Moody’s or S&P scores.
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Product Flexibility: Look for issuers offering flexible payment timing, step-up payments, and beneficiary options.
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State Licensing: Ensure the issuer is licensed in relevant states to facilitate legal compliance.
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Claims and Service Reputation: Choose issuers with quick, efficient claims handling and high customer satisfaction ratings.
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Brokers and Network Strength: Issuers with broad broker networks and relationships with settlement planners often provide a smoother underwriting process.
How to Verify Issuer Credentials
Consumers and financial professionals should use authoritative industry resources:
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4Structures Structured Settlement Annuity Companies Directory: Offers detailed company profiles, licensing information, rating data, and fee charts to help verify issuers (Link).
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A.M. Best Company: Check official financial ratings and outlooks.
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National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC): Verify state licensing and disciplinary actions.
The Role of Structured Settlement Brokers in Working with Issuers
Most settlements involve structured settlement brokers who act as intermediaries between claimants and annuity issuers. Brokers have expertise in negotiating the best terms, facilitating issuer underwriting, and ensuring compliance with laws and court approvals.
Read More: Structured Settlement & Annuity Buyers 2025: How to Secure the Best Cash Offer Safely
Conclusion
Structured settlement annuity issuers form the foundation of secure, customizable annuity solutions underpinning millions of structured settlement agreements. In 2025, partnering with an issuer known for outstanding financial strength, product innovation, and excellent customer service ensures long-term payment security.
Top issuers like New York Life, MetLife, Prudential, Berkshire Hathaway, and Pacific Life provide proven stability and flexible product options to meet diverse claimant needs. Employing trustworthy industry resources such as the 4Structures Structured Settlement Annuity Companies directory empowers claimants and professionals to make well-informed issuer selections.
Taking these steps guarantees that structured settlement recipients enjoy lifelong financial peace of mind backed by the industry’s most reliable insurers.
