UNESCO’s International Bioethics Committee will meet in Mexico City

UNESCO’s International Bioethics Committee (IBC) will meet in Mexico City (Mexico) from 4 to 6 May. This 16th session, organized in cooperation with the Consejo Consultivo de Ciencias of the Presidency of Mexico, will be followed by a European Commission-UNESCO conference, which will bring together experts and members of national bioethics committees from all over the world from 7 to 9 May.

Three main topics will be presented at this session of the IBC: social responsibility and health, the principle of respect for human vulnerability and personal integrity and the issue of human cloning and international governance. Furthermore, there will be an overview of the situation of bioethics in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The 16th session will be opened on 4 May (9.15 a.m.) by Alonso Lujambio Irazábal*, the Mexican Minister of Education, Pierre Sané, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences and Adolfo Martínez-Palomo, Chairperson of IBC. The opening ceremony will be followed at 10.00 a.m. by a progress report on the UNESCO bioethics programme, especially the REDBIOETICA initiative, which concerns Latin America and the Caribbean. The topic Bioethics in Latin America and the Caribbean: experiences and perspectives will take up the rest of the day.

On 5 May (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) there will be a presentation of the draft IBC report about human cloning and international governance. The IBC was a pioneer in the field of cloning, creating the foundations of the Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights (1997), which condemned cloning for human reproduction as contrary to human dignity. Since then, more than 50 countries have passed laws to forbid cloning for reproduction. However, voices have been raised, especially by scientists, to demand a different treatment for therapeutic cloning. At the request of UNESCO’s Director-General, an IBC working group has started to consider this issue in order to determine whether the latest scientific, ethical, social, political and legal developments justify a new initiative at the international level. The afternoon session will be devoted to the draft IBC report about social responsibility and health.

The session on 6 May will concern the principle of respect for human vulnerability and personal integrity (morning) and the IBC’s work programme for 2010-2011 (3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.), before the closing by Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pierre Sané, Adolfo Martinez Palomo, and the new IBC chairperson, to be elected during this session.

The European Commission-UNESCO Conference, which will follow on 7 May, aims at strengthening the capacities of bioethics committees. It will bring together experts and members of national committees at all stages of development. The conference, organized with the financial support of the European Commission, will be structured around three major themes: emerging bioethics issues, building an international network of national bioethics committees and the committees’ engagement in ethical discourse.

Unless trends change, 700 million adults will still be illiterate in 2015, says UNESCO’s Director-General

• © UNESCO/Sake Rijpkema

22-04-2009
The Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura has voiced concern that literacy remains a preeminent global challenge, as well as being one of the most neglected Education for All goals.

His comments came during the 2009 Global Action Week which this year focuses on youth and adult literacy and life-long learning.

“Achieving literacy for all is a collective responsibility”, the Director-General said. “According to estimates from the 2009 EFA Global Monitoring Report, unless current trends are changed, 700 million adults will still be unable to read and write in 2015, only 10 per cent fewer than today. We simply cannot let this happen.”

A staggering 776 million young people and adults, or 16 per cent of the global adult population, are currently on the margins of society due to a lack of literacy and numeracy skills. To this end, the Director-General mentioned UNESCO’s close collaboration with Member States and EFA partners to advocate for greater strategic collaboration, innovation and policy shifts in the field of literacy, notably through its role as global coordinator for Education for All and the UN Literacy Decade (2003-2012), as well as through country-level programmes such as the Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE).

As illiteracy continues to disproportionally affect disadvantaged populations and the gender gap remains unchanged with women still comprising two-thirds of illiterate adults, Mr Matsuura urged the international community to focus on expanding access to basic education and improving the quality of teaching and learning, beginning with an urgent scaling-up of financial resources.

This year’s Global Action Week events provide opportunities to raise the status of literacy on policy agendas and emphasize the indispensable role literacy plays in the achievement of all of the internationally agreed development goals. Under the slogan ‘Open Books, Open Doors’, coinciding with World Book and Copyright Day, a range of activities will take place at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 23 April at UNESCO HQ.

How To get Cash for Structured Settlements

If you have a structured settlement and you need a lump sum of cash right away, you may consider getting cash for your structured settlement. You can sell your settlement to a private note investor or a lending institution. But keep in mind that this move is not without some risk. Read on to discover some important information about how to get cash for a structured settlement.



When you apply to get cash for a structured settlement, you have to keep in mind that this can be a complicated process. You should have a structured settlement specialist help you. This person may be an attorney or a financial professional that has had specialized training.



Selling your annuity payments will assign all rights to future payments to the institution that you sell your payments to. But it is important to remember that in most cases you can choose to sell your annuity payments in parts or you can sell the whole thing. For example, if your annuity payments are set up over a period of thirty years, you may choose to sell only two years worth.



The very first thing you should do before getting cash for a structured settlement is to figure out how much money you need. What are you going to be using the money for? Do you need to pay off mounting medical bills? Do you have high interest credit cards that are eating up your budget? Once you determine the amount that you need and what you need it for, you will have a clearer picture of how much of your annuity payments to sell.



The next thing you need to do is to get all of your structured settlement details together. You need to have the name of the life insurance company that backs your annuity payments. You also need to know the exact dates of payment disbursement, how much the payment is going to be and how many payments you have left.



When you meet with your investor you need to let him know how much money that you need and how many payments your are going to sell. He will take this information, calculate the present day value of your settlement and connect you with those individuals or organizations that can give you the most money for your annuity payments.



Before you try to get cash for a structured settlement, carefully weigh the pros and cons. Make absolutely sure it is something that you want to do. When you sell your structured settlement you are giving up future income. If you do opt to get cash for your structured settlement, use the money wisely.

Annuities After Retirement

The difference between people who look forward to their retirement and those who wonder if they will ever retire is the fact that the former group has made investments in annuities. There are two phases in an annuity investment, the accumulation phase or the period when you pay a premium or premiums and the pay out phase when you begin to receive income from the investment.

Annuities are designed to help people live independently and comfortably in their retired years and truly make them the golden years. Insurance companies offer individuals a chance to buy an annuity by making a one-time payment or several premium payments and assure them a certain rate of return that may be revised from time to time. There are many types of annuities that can be used to plan for your retirement and to ensure that little changes in your lifestyle after you stop working. The different types of annuities include deferred annuities, equity-indexed annuities and immediate annuities.

The income received from the annuity would depend on many factors such as the age of the investor, rate of return, etc. Women usually receive less income than men because they have a longer life expectancy. Also if partners hold the annuity jointly then the income received is lower.

Some features of annuities after retirement:

* Tax is deferred on annuities and is paid on the gains one receives as income from the annuity. Since one is in a lower tax bracket, the tax is thus affected. Also the gains from the annuity are taxed as ordinary income.

* Only the part of the income that is considered as gains are taxed and not the rest of the investment.

* After your working years you can decide to receive income from the annuity for the rest of your life or for a fixed period of time.

* The income can be received as the investor wishes, on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis.

* In cases where people have not invested in annuities before their retirement they may choose to do so later. There is no age limit on investment in annuities. For such investors the immediate annuity may be the most appealing. The immediate annuity begins paying income to the investor virtually as soon as the annuity is bought.

* If required payment from an annuity can also be deferred until the investor is ready to receive it.

* If the retired person has a bulk sum of money then investment in an immediate annuity will supplement the other sources of income.

Your retirement can be secure and enjoyable by investing in an annuity. If you haven’t created a personal retirement plan with an annuity, it is never too late to start. Buy an annuity today!

Retirement Income Annuities

Retirement Income Annuities are ordinary deferred annuities, but with an additional feature...a decreasing term life insurance rider that provides term life insurance with a face amount that decreases each year the policy is in force.

The effect is that if the annuitant reaches retirement age...for example, 65...the decreasing term insurance death benefit expires and annuity payments begin providing long term income. If, however the annuitant dies before reaching this age, the decreasing term insurance death benefit is combined with the value of the annuity and then paid to the annuitant's beneficiary in any settlement option chosen.

A number of financial products now offer significant security for retirees. Consider annuity policies, which allow you to invest a chunk of your savings in return for regular payouts. Annuities got a famously bad rap in the 1990s because of their unfamiliar - and surprisingly steep - fees. Since then, the variety of products has grown and some of the fees are down, especially if you shop around. Moreover, today there is an annuity to suit every stripe, and many are "unbundled," allowing consumers to customize their annuity just as they might tweak a new car purchase to add side-curtain airbags.

Even with all the bells and whistles, annuities still roll out of the factory on one of two basic chassis. Fixed annuities yield a steady stream of income for a set number of years or the rest of your life. Variable annuities can also provide regular checks, but they tie the amount of your payouts to the performance of an investment portfolio. Both types allow you to choose whether to begin receiving payouts immediately (in monthly, quarterly, or annual installments) or at a later date. And both varieties pay out partly taxable money - you are taxed only on your gains, not your original investment - at regular income-tax rates, an important fact to weigh when considering annuities for your financial plan.

Just like a new-car purchase, you then start adding options. You can buy fixed annuities and tack on inflation protection for your payouts; you can choose to add a death benefit - or not. Some policies offer an option for long-term-care insurance, which raises your payouts if you become disabled. On certain variable annuities, you can opt to have your portfolio value (and thus your payouts) reflect your performance only in neutral or good years.

Structured Settlement

The Benefits of a Personal Injury Structured Settlement

Prior to 1982, if you were injured in accident and awarded a settlement, you had to take it in one lump sum. This one time payment caused a lot of problems for people who did not know how to manage the money correctly. After the injured party spent all of the money on things that were not related to their medical care or injuries, they were left wondering how they were going to pay for their future medical needs.

In 1982, the law was changed to a personal injury structured settlement plan. This type of payment plan consists of sending the injured party a monthly or annual payment over a period of time. This type of settlement plan gave people the security of having income on a regular basis.

When a structured settlement payment plan is in place, the injured party will be able to receive the funds necessary to pay for their medical care. If the injured party is confined to a bed or even to a nursing home, the monthly payment from the structured settlement will alleviate the worries that the family may have about how to afford care for their loved one.

The decision to change from lump sum payments to structured settlement payments was not made without careful deliberation. Studies have shown that about 30% who received a lump sum payment due to an accident spent all of the money within two months. Further studies revealed that 90% of the people spent all of the money within five years.

For a lump sum payment to be beneficial for the injured party for future medical expenses it must be invested and administered over time. Since most people do not have experience in investing money, the injured party must hire a financial advisor to invest the money for them. When a huge sum of money is invested, the returns on the investment are taxable. In addition, when you hire a financial advisor you run the risk of getting the wrong person and having your money disappear due to theft or just plain mismanagement of the funds.

A personal injury structured settlement can be beneficial because it is tax free. The money is backed by a life insurance company and delivered to the injured party in annuities or smaller monthly or yearly payments. The reasons that personal injury structured settlements are beneficial are many. For example, if a victim dies and leaves behind minor children, the personal injury structured settlement payments can provide for food, housing and education for these minors.

So as you can see, personal injury structured settlements are a good thing. The money will be there if needed. The injured party and family members will not have to worry about financing future medical expenses. If you are ever injured in an accident and your attorney suggests structured settlements, it may be a good idea to take him up on this offer.

The Benefits of Structured Settlement Annuity Payments

Getting injured in an accident or becoming disabled due to medical malpractice can ruin your life and the lives of your loved ones. But if you have taken it to court and won your case then there is hope. This hope comes in the form of structured settlement annuity payments. Read on to discover a little more about this type of payment structure and how it will benefit you and your family.

Structured settlement annuity payments are the payments that you will receive after you win a lawsuit. These annuities are an alternative to getting a one time lump sum from your settlement.

So why are structured settlement annuity payments better than a single lump sum? The reasons can be as diverse as the person receiving them. Let’s look at a few of the benefits of structured payments.

1. Structured settlement annuity payments will allow you to have income over a lifetime. You will be guaranteed a monthly or yearly check for the duration of your life.

2. These payments can be used for living expenses, medical bills or medical equipment, education or however else that you see fit.

3. A structured settlement payment plan will prevent you from spending your whole settlement in just a few short years. Unfortunately, a lot of people have no constraint when it comes to spending, so a payment plan will do away with the temptation to spend your money foolishly.

4. A payment plan also deters friends and relatives from asking for a loan or a handout. It is amazing how many friends you will discover when you come into some money.

5. Money received from structured settlement annuities are not taxable. This simply means that this is not considered income and will not be taxed at the end of the year.

6. If the recipient of a structured settlement is already receiving social security, the income generated from these payments will not affect your social security benefits. Social security cannot decrease your benefits because you are receiving structured settlement payments.

7. Structured settlement payments can be customized on a yearly basis to factor in for cost of living or additional expenses that may become apparent. That means that you can request that your payment amount be raised.

8. Structured settlements are protected from creditors and divorce. You cannot lose any amount of your settlement to a creditor that sues you or to your spouse in a divorce proceeding.

So if you are injured and have won the case, your attorney may talk to you about structured settlement annuity payments. Listen to his advice and the advice of a good financial advisor. A structured settlement may be the best way for you to receive your payments.

The Importance of Choosing a Good Structured Settlement Broker

If you have won an case where you were awarded a large sum of money, you may be offered the money in payments over a specific period of time. This is called a structured settlement. This type of payment system will provide you with a guaranteed income on a regular basis until the whole settlement is paid. But for this whole process to work properly, you need the services of an experienced structured settlement broker.

It is the job of the structured settlement broker to help the parties understand the costs involved and to come up with a proper financial analysis. An experienced structured settlement broker will be able to develop the best payment plan that will best benefit the recipient.

A structured settlement is paid out by annuities that are backed by a life insurance company. These annuities can be paid in several different ways. The payee may choose to get a partial lump sum initially and then receive payments on a monthly basis, a quarterly basis or a yearly basis.

The payment structure can be changed over the life of the payment schedule in some cases. If the payee has medical needs arise, he can request an increase in payments to cover these costs. It is vital to have an experienced structure settlement broker working with you if this becomes the case.

Structured settlements can also be sold to get a cash payout. People may opt to do this if they need a large sum of cash right away. But it is important to keep in mind that selling a structured settlement will decrease the amount of money that you will get because you are given only a fraction of the total settlement sum.

If you sell your structured settlement, you are also giving up a guaranteed monthly income. These structured settlement payments are tax exempt and protected from creditors and divorce settlements. So you need to positive that the annuity payments are something that you want to part with.

Selling your structured settlement payments is a complex process and will take the advice of a good structured settlement broker. You should also consult your attorney before you decide to sell. You must be very careful in who you choose to sell your settlement to. Like everything else out there, there are unscrupulous companies that will take control of your settlement and not pay you. Some companies will not want to give you a fair price for your structured settlement. Therefore, it is critical that you have your attorney or structured settlement broker guide you when selling your structured settlement.

So never hesitate to employ the services of a structured settlement broker.

Why Sell a Structured Settlement?

A structured settlement is a payment that you will receive monthly, quarterly or yearly if you have been injured in an accident and are entitled to compensation. These payments may come for a few years or they may be set up to come over a lifetime. A structured payment is a guaranteed check to help support you and your family. But sometimes people want to sell a structured settlement. You may be asking yourself why someone would want to do this. Keep reading to uncover a few good reasons for selling a structured settlement.

The reasons that someone will sell a structured settlement are different for each individual. But one of the biggest reasons for selling is that money may be needed for a major operation or for medical equipment that can help enhance the life of the recipient. Sometimes, money is needed for other family members that have a health crisis.

For some people, selling off a structured settlement will allow them to purchase a home. Having a place to live without the worry of a mortgage or being evicted is enough of a reason for certain individuals to sell a structured settlement.

There are those that may be particularly savvy with the stock markets. These people may choose to sell a structured settlement to invest in stocks or bonds that will make them more money in the long run. This is probably the smartest reason to sell a structured settlement. But you must know what you are doing to make this work.

Older adults that have been involved in an accident and are getting structured settlements may choose to sell so that they can help their children or grandchildren. An older adult who receives a structured settlement for life realizes that they may not have many years left and may decide to use the money to enhance the lives of their children.

Regardless of the reason that someone may choose to sell a structured settlement they must do so carefully. They need to enlist the aid of a lawyer or financial specialist who is trained to sell structured settlements. Make sure that the individual that buys the settlement is on the up and up. You should also shop around for buyers, because one buyer may offer a higher price than the other.

Selling a structured settlement is a big decision and should not be taken lightly. When you sell a structured settlement you are virtually giving up a lifetime of steady income for a fraction of the price. But if you are positive that it is the best route to take, then by all means, go for it!

Sell Structured Settlement Annuity Payments

Structured settlement annuity recipients receiving payments over time can convert their future payments into cash.

You can choose to receive a lump sum cash payment for all or just some of your structured settlement annuity payments to:

• Eliminate debt
• Pay off high-interest credit cards
• Reduce your medical bills

Stone Street Capital is a leading lump sum structured settlement annuity company that can convert your future payments to cash.

The Lump Sum Option

The lump sum option gives you flexibility to sell your structured settlement annuity payments and get the up-front cash you need now. Life changes happen fast. Even though a structured settlement may have been the right choice at the time, things may have changed and you need money now.

Structured Settlement Annuity Buyer

Stone Street Capital will purchase your future payments for your settlement annuity payments resulting from a:

• Personal Injury Settlement
• Medical Malpractice Settlement
• Wrongful Death Settlement
• Lawsuit Settlement

About Stone Street Capital

Stone Street Capital is America's leading structured settlement annuity buyer. We are the oldest, most respected firm in the lump sum industry. For nearly 20 years, we have helped thousands of structured settlement annuity recipients convert some or all of their annuity payments into cash. We can help you too.

Cash for Annuity Payments

Do you own an annuity but need to access cash now? Stone Street Capital can turn some or all of your annuity cash payments into one lump sum of cash if you:

• Inherited an annuity payments and prefer cash
• Prefer a different investment vehicle
• Need a large amount of money but do not want a high interest loan

Whatever the reason, Stone Street Capital makes it easy to get cash for annuity payments.

The Lump Sum Option

A lot can happen during the time that you chose an annuity and today. It’s for this simple reason Stone Street Capital began offering the lump sum option nearly 20 years ago. Choosing the lump sum option with Stone Street Capital means you have the ability to turn some or all of your annual annuity cash payments into one large lump sum of cash.

How Do I Sell Annuity Payments?

If you are interested in converting some or all of your annuity into cash, or simply want to know how much you can get right now, call us today at 1-800-LUMP-SUM (800-586-7786).

About Stone Street Capital

In 1989, Stone Street Capital was created to give annuity owners, like you, financial options. Our unique programs allow you to tap into finances that would otherwise be out of reach. It's for this reason that so many annuity owners contact us again and again - because we get you access to the money you need. It's that simple.

Sell Annuity Settlement Payments

Structured settlements are set up for a reason - to provide you with income over time. However, things change and your situation may require you to access cash now.

Stone Street Capital offers annuity settlement recipients the option to receive a lump sum cash payment for all or some of your structured settlement annuity payments to:

• Pay off your home mortgage
• Reduce or eliminate debt
• Pay medical bills
• Pay off credit cards or other loans

The Lump Sum Option

Choosing the lump sum option with Stone Street Capital can give you the flexibility to sell annuity settlement payments and get the up-front cash you need now. Receiving annuity settlement payments over time may have been the right choice previously, but your situation may have changed. Even the best prepared person can face financial hardships.

Immediate Cash When You Sell Annuity Settlement Payments

You may sell annuity settlement payments resulting from a:

• Structured Settlement Personal Injury
• Wrongful Death Settlement
• Medical Malpractice Settlement
• Lawsuit Settlement
• Annuity

Let Us Help You

You may have many questions about the lump sum option. Our staff of experienced professionals understands your concerns. Whether you are ready for a free quote, or have additional questions about a lump sum transaction, we are here to help.

About Stone Street Capital

For almost 20 years, Stone Street Capital has been a leader in the specialty finance industry. With over $1 billion in originated transactions, we have helped thousands of clients nationwide. We can help you too.

Sell Annuity Information

If you are one of the many annuity owners looking for information on selling annuity payments, you are not alone. For almost 20 years, Stone Street Capital has helped thousands of annuity owners or recipients cash in their annuity payments for a large lump sum.

Why Cash in Now?

There are many reasons that cashing in your annuity makes sense.

• You may want to invest the cash into other products
• Your tax situation may have changed
• You need access to a large amount of money and a loan does not make sense

Whatever the reason, Stone Street Capital makes selling annuity payments fast and easy.

Sell Annuity Information

There are many reasons why cashing in some or all of your annuity payments makes sense. It could be an unexpected expense or change in your financial situation has occurred, or perhaps you were not the original owner of your annuity and would rather free up your money that would otherwise be out of reach.

Whatever the reason, Stone Street Capital makes it easy to convert some or all of your annuity payments into cash.

How Much Will You Get?

Fill out the quote form on this page or call 1-800-LUMP-SUM and one of our Annuity Lump Sum Experts will present you with customized lump sum options that match your needs.

Not ready for a quote just yet? Call 1-800-LUMP-SUM (800-586-7786) to receive more information on selling annuity payments and explore your options.

There is no cost and no obligation of any kind.

Why choose Stone Street Capital?

• We are the annuity lump sum experts: Founded in 1989 we have been helping settlement and annuity recipients for nearly 20 years.
• We have closed over $1 Billion in transactions
• Stone Street Capital puts annuity owners' rights first - We've lobbied to change restrictive laws and open up new financial alternatives for annuity owners.

Get Cash For Structured Settlement Payments

Structured settlement recipients: you can choose to receive lump sum cash for your structured settlement payments to:

• Pay off credit cards and other bills
• Eliminate debt
• Reduce your medical bills

Whether you are ready to receive cash for structured settlement payments or simply have questions about the lump sum option, call us today.

1-800-LUMP-SUM
(800-586-7786)
Free Call. Free Quote.

Receiving structured settlement payments is an excellent way for people to protect their financial security. But what happens when there are unexpected life changes? Isn't it great to know that you have an option to get cash for your:

• Structured settlement payments
• Personal injury structured settlement payments
• Structured settlement annuity payments

The Lump Sum Option

The lump sum option gives you flexibility to turn structured settlement payments into the immediate cash you need now. Even though a structured settlement may have made sense previously, life changes. No matter how prepared you are, sometimes you need cash to handle unforeseen circumstances. Accessing cash for structured settlement annuity payments may be the answer.

Immediate Cash When You Sell Structured Settlement Payments

You can sell structured settlement payments resulting from a:

• Lawsuit Settlement
• Medical Malpractice Settlement
• Personal Injury Structured Settlement
• Wrongful Death Settlement
• Structured Settlement Annuity

We Can Help You

The decision to sell structured settlement payments should not be taken lightly. While many times, the lump sum option makes sense, sometimes it doesn't. Our staff of experienced professionals understands you may have questions about the lump sum option. We will work with you to help you decide if getting cash for structured settlement payments makes sense for you.

About Stone Street Capital

Stone Street Capital has been a leader in the specialty finance industry for almost 20 years. In that time we have helped thousands of people receive immediate money for their future payment streams. Since 1989, we've paid over $1 Billion to people all across America and we are focused on helping our customers. We can help you too.

Eastern Colonial India

The Settlement of Structure of Eastern Colonial India/Paramita Majumdar. Delhi, Gagandeep Pub., 2007, xvi, 272 p., tables, maps, diagrams, ISBN 81-88865-01-X.

Contents: Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction. 2. Settlement structure. 3. Economic structure. 4. Migration. 5. Conclusion. Bibliography. Index.

"The form of settlement in any particular region reflects Man's relationship with the environment. The pattern and structure of settlement in a space along with the organization of population provides fair idea about the levels of development achieved by that region. The history of Bengal presidency and the province of Bihar and Orissa have been most significant in the context of colonial rule in India. It went through most turbulent periods in terms of economic casualty, political instability, social transformation and cultural syntheses. The perceive the vicissitudes of changes in every sphere, the region is one of the best. Being a highly involved and complex area and the scene of many political events which shaped the society and economy, it is interesting to know how these forces played a decisive role in shaping the settlement structure of the region. The present study is an attempt towards understanding the settlement structure of the two provinces during 1901 and 1931. The main objectives of the study are as follows:

1. To observe the temporal variation in settlement structure in terms of density, distribution, growth and size of settlements.

2. To analyse the occupational distribution of the population in order to understand the economic structure of the settlements.

3. To analyse the difference in the density of population and settlement growth by observing the pattern and trend of migration.

Well illustrated with tables, maps and diagrams the book would meet the requirements of geographers, sociologists, historian, researchers and all others interested in the subject." (jacket)

the view of US. structured settlement

Structured Settlements in the United States

The United States has enacted structured settlement laws and regulations at both the federal and state levels. Federal structured settlement laws include sections of the (federal) Internal Revenue Code^[1]. State structured settlement laws include structured settlement protection statutes and periodic payment of judgment statutes. Medicaid and Medicare laws and regulations affect structured settlements. To preserve a claimant’s Medicare and Medicaid benefits, structured settlement payments may be incorporated into “Medicare Set Aside Arrangements” “Special Needs Trusts."

Structured settlements have been endorsed by many of the nation's largest disability rights organizations, including the American Association of People with Disabilities ^[2] and the National Organization on Disability ^[3].

[edit] Definitions

The United States definition of “structured settlement” for federal income taxation purposes, found in Internal Revenue Code Section 5891(c)(1) (26 U.S.C. § 5891(c)(1)), is an "arrangement" that meets the following requirements:

• A structured settlement must be established by:
  • A suit or agreement for periodic payment of damages excludable from gross income under Internal Revenue Code Section 104(a)(2) (26 U.S.C. § 104(a)(2)); or
  • An agreement for the periodic payment of compensation under any workers’ compensation law excludable under Internal Revenue Code Section 104(a)(1) (26 U.S.C. § 104(a)(1)); and
• The periodic payments must be of the character described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of Internal Revenue Code Section 130(c)(2) (26 U.S.C. § 130(c)(2))) and must be payable by a person who:
  • Is a party to the suit or agreement or to a workers' compensation claim; or
  • By a person who has assumed the liability for such periodic payments under a qualified assignment in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 130 (26 U.S.C. § 130).

[edit] Legal Structure

The typical structured settlement arises and is structured as follows: An injured party (the claimant) settles a tort suit with the defendant (or its insurance carrier) pursuant to a settlement agreement that provides that, in exchange for the claimant's securing the dismissal of the lawsuit, the defendant (or, more commonly, its insurer) agrees to make a series of periodic payments over time. The insurer, a property/casualty insurance company, thus finds itself with a long-term payment obligation to the claimant. To fund this obligation, the property/casualty insurer generally takes one of two typical approaches: It either purchases an annuity from a life insurance company (an arrangement called a "buy and hold" case) or it assigns (or, more properly, delegates) its periodic payment obligation to a third party which in turn purchases an annuity (which arrangement is called an "assigned case").

In an unassigned case, the property/casualty insurer retains the periodic payment obligation and funds it by purchasing an annuity from a life insurance company, thereby offsetting its obligation with a matching asset. The payment stream purchased under the annuity matches exactly, in timing and amounts, the periodic payments agreed to in the settlement agreement. The property/casualty company owns the annuity and names the claimant as the payee under the annuity, thereby directing the annuity issuer to send payments directly to the claimant. If any of the periodic payments are life-contingent (i.e., the obligation to make a payment is contingent on someone continuing to be alive), then the claimant (or whoever is determined to be the measuring life) is named as the annuitant or measuring life under the annuity.

In an assigned case, the property/casualty company does not wish to retain the long-term periodic payment obligation on its books. Accordingly, the property/casualty insurer transfers the obligation, through a legal device called a qualified assignment, to a third party. The third party, called an assignment company, will require the property/casualty company to pay it an amount sufficient to enable it to buy an annuity that will fund its newly accepted periodic payment obligation. If the claimant consents to the transfer of the periodic payment obligation (either in the settlement agreement or, failing that, in a special form of qualified assignment known as a qualified assignment and release), the defendant and/or its property/casualty company has no further liability to make the periodic payments. This method of substituting the obligor is desirable for property/casualty companies that do not want to retain the periodic payment obligation on their books. Typically, an assignment company is an affiliate of the life insurance company from which the annuity is purchased.

An assignment is said to be "qualified" if it satisfies the criteria set forth in Internal Revenue Code Section 130. Qualification of the assignment is important to assignment companies because without it the amount they receive to induce them to accept periodic payment obligations would be considered income for federal income tax purposes. If an assignment qualifies under Section 130, however, the amount received is excluded from the income of the assignment company. This provision of the tax code was enacted to encourage assigned cases; without it, assignment companies would owe federal income taxes but would typically have no source from which to make the payments.

Definition of structured Settlement

A structured settlement is a financial or insurance arrangement, including periodic payments, that a claimant accepts to resolve a personal injury tort claim or to compromise a statutory periodic payment obligation. Structured settlements were first utilized in Canada and the United States during the 1970s as an alternative to lump sum settlements. Structured settlements are now part of the statutory tort law of several common law countries including Australia, Canada, England and the United States. Although some uniformity exists, each of these countries has its own definitions, rules and standards for structured settlements. Structured settlements may include income tax and spendthrift requirements as well as benefits. Structured settlement payments are sometimes called “periodic payments.” A structured settlement incorporated into a trial judgment is called a “periodic payment judgment."

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UNESCO Director-General to G-20: “Invest in education”

Koïchiro Matsuura, the Director-General of UNESCO, has written to the leaders of the Group of 20 nations, meeting in London this week, to plead the cause of education.

Mr Matsuura said world leaders must tackle systemic and financial problems at the same time as the fundamental issues that determine long-term economic development, such as education. The Director-General stressed that “Expenditure for education is one of the most productive investments that a country can make. […] Research shows that by extending the average period spent at school by one year, per capita GDP is increased by 4 to 6 %. By injecting resources into education now, not only would we stimulate economic recovery, but we would also contribute to stronger growth in the future and guarantee global stability in the long term. This is why UNESCO proposes including education on the agendas of all international meetings aimed at resolving the current crisis.”

The Director-General added, “Investing in science, innovation and new technologies, including green technologies, is also fundamental for stimulating economic growth while contributing to a sustainable environment. UNESCO is already working with many countries, especially in Africa, to develop scientific policies and build human and institutional capacities in order to promote innovation.”

“Responding to the global crisis, which is of unprecedented magnitude and complexity, will require unfailing cooperation and international solidarity. The organizations in the United Nations System, including UNESCO, of which all the G20 countries are members, have the ability to undertake coordinated and strategic action,” said Mr Matsuura, stressing that “multilateralism will be vital for finding common solutions to the current challenges.”

The Director-General continued, “The crisis risks wiping out the gains of recent years - attained after major efforts - especially in developing countries, and compromising progress towards the development goals set by everyone, including the Millennium Development Goals. With the population of Africa expected to double in the next 35 years, cutting investments allocated to the reduction of poverty now is the best way to cause social disaster. […] I exhort the G20 to urge aid donors to reverse the current trend of decreasing aid commitments and disbursements.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Paris for CEB meeting hosted by UNESCO

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon came to Paris to attend the annual meeting of the CEB (UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination), hosted by UNESCO on 4-5 April, following his participation in the G-20 Summit in London.

On his first visit to UNESCO since his election to the head of the UN, the Secretary-General addressed delegations and staff at an information meeting at Headquarters on 3 April. The session was webcast to all UNESCO Field Offices.

On 6-7 April, Ban Ki-Moon will be in Istanbul (Turkey) for the second Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, aimed at advancing intercultural understanding.