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 Tax Free Benefits: The periodic payments are irrevocably directed to the claimant and are received tax-free. Good Investment Returns: The funds invested in the structure annuity pay interest that is roughly equal to other secure long-term investments such as Government bonds or Guaranteed Investment Certificates. Benefits Guaranteed To Last a Lifetime: The lifetime structure makes payments as long as the claimant remains alive. A major Canadian Life Insurance Company guarantees the payments. The claimant cannot outlive the income from the settlement. With life expectancies increasing every year, a Lifetime Structured Settlement Annuity is the best way to guarantee peace of mind. Security of Investment: SSG works with four of the largest Life Insurance Companies in Canada and these companies issue structured settlement annuities. These companies each have excellent credit ratings; with a minimum of "AA" ratings from Standard and Poors Insurance Rating Services. Standard Life Assurance Company
Additionally the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Compensation Corporation (CompCorp) is an organization supported and run by the Canadian Life Insurance industry and regulated by the Canadian Government. "CompCorp" guarantees annuity payments up to $2,000 / month from each Life Insurance Company to each recipient On larger settlements SSG suggests consideration of the extra security produced by dividing the structure among several Life Insurance Companies to "spread the risk" and increase security on the payment steams by obtaining multiple "CompCorp" guarantees. Untouchable: The structured settlement, once set, cannot be changed. This means that the recipient cannot "dip into" the capital in order to help family or friends, or to make risky investments. The purpose of any settlement is to protect the claimant's future. Structuring the settlement bars the door to temptation and nuisance. With one solid decision, the stress and risks of long-term fund management are removed. No Management Fees: Investment advisors, money managers and mutual fund managers charge fees and commissions in the 2.5% range. These fees are usually taken no matter how the investments fare. In recent years the TSE index has declined significantly. In addition to losing value investors are still paying for investment and management advice. Guaranteed Period Available: If there are sufficient funds we recommend a structure that pays as long as the claimant lives, but there is always the possibility of premature death. This could happen for any number of reasons. SSG also always recommends a guaranteed period be added to the structure plan. Example: Lifetime structure includes a 30-year guarantee. The recipient dies at year 6. Inheritors will receive the tax-free payments for another 24 years. This feature can be purchased for a very modest cost. Flexibility: Usually the total settlement is not structured. An initial amount is normally needed to pay immediate needs and legal fees. Structure payments can be designed to meet individual needs:
Creditor Protection: The Defendant Casualty Insurer is the registered owner of the non-commutable, non-assignable, non-transferable annuity. Creditors and departing spouses of the claimant cannot attack the annuity. If a claimant takes the damage award in cash, the claimant's assets are subject to all the usual laws applicable to property owners; the entire amount is subject to attack by creditors, including departing spouses. Indexing Feature Available: Payments can be arranged to increase at a set amount each year such as 2% or 5%; or they can be tied to the Consumer Price Index. We do recommend some form of indexing to protect against inflation. 
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