Blog

Federal Steps to Align Structured Settlements with SSI and Medicaid

I. Introduction – Completing the Series “The Social Security Act is among the most intricate ever drafted by Congress; its Byzantine construction … makes the Act ‘almost unintelligible to the uninitiated.’” — Judge Henry Friendly, Schweiker v. Gray Panthers That observation captures the challenge still facing policymakers and structured settlement professionals. For decades, structured settlements...

The Faces of Innovation – Independent Life Leading the Way

The faces of innovation – From finance to sales, actuarial, strategy and operations, Independent Life stands strong. Together, we’re exploring new frontiers in the structured settlement industry, with the launch of iStructure Select™, and the inclusion of the Nasdaq-100 Volatility Control 12%™ Index. (From left to right) CEO Donald J. Herrema, Senior Actuarial Analyst Joey...

In the News: Independent Life Showcases iStructure Select™ at Nasdaq

FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 16, 2025 — Independent Life, the only plaintiff-focused structured settlement annuity carrier, was recently hosted by Nasdaq at its New York City headquarters, highlighting the inclusion of the Nasdaq-100 Volatility Control 12%™ Index into its latest innovative product, iStructure Select™. “Our collaboration with Nasdaq is a powerful validation of the work we...

Structured Settlements, SSI Income and DRA Annuities: Building a Durable Federal Framework

I. Introduction: From System Shifts to Strategic Opportunity This article is the fifth installment in our six-part series on how structured settlements interact with public benefit planning. Article 1 and Article 2 explored system-wide shifts; the One Big Beautiful Bill’s (OBBB) expansion of state authority over Medicaid and the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) 2025 reforms...

Independent Life Showcases iStructure Select at Nasdaq Headquarters

We are thrilled to have been invited by Nasdaq to the Nasdaq HQ in New York City, to celebrate the launch of iStructure Select™, our latest innovative index-linked annuity, designed for the structured settlement market. Built on a fully digital platform, iStructure Select™ is the first structured settlement annuity that provides plaintiff attorneys and their clients...

Structured Settlements and Public Benefits: How We Got Here And Why It Matters Now

By Patrick Hindert and George Luecke Introduction: Understanding the Path to Today’s Challenges This article is the fourth in a six-part series examining how structured settlements interact with public benefit programs in an era of rapid legislative, judicial, and administrative change. As a reminder: Article 1 introduced the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), explaining...

Independent Life Summer Sessions – Interview with Roseline Orelus

Summer Sessions, a dynamic interview series spotlighting the incredible individuals behind Independent Life. From structured specialists to finance, sales to compliance pros, we’re sitting down for bite-sized interviews that showcase the people who make the difference. — Roseline “Ros” Orelus, Jacksonville, Florida – Structured Settlement Specialist I typically spend my summer…  Vacationing with my family...