Written by Jovan Johnson, Esq., Structured Settlement & Annuity Specialist
Industry-Reviewed by Kevin Lowe, COO of Genex Capital, Structured Settlement Secondary Market Specialist
Updated August 15, 2026
If you’re receiving structured settlement payments in Pennsylvania and need cash now, you can sell some or all of your remaining payments — but Pennsylvania’s Structured Settlement Protection Act requires a court of common pleas judge to approve the sale first. Here’s what selling a structured settlement actually involves in Pennsylvania, step by step.
Can I Sell My Structured Settlement in Pennsylvania?
Yes, you can sell a Pennsylvania structured settlement, in full or in part. Pennsylvania law (40 P.S. § 4001 et seq., the Structured Settlement Protection Act) requires: a written disclosure statement at least 10 days before you sign anything, a petition filed in the court of common pleas, at least 20 days’ notice before your hearing, and a judge’s finding that the sale is in your best interest. Most sales close in roughly 45–60 days from signed agreement to funded payment.
See What Your Payments Could Be Worth
Every offer is different, and the only way to know what your specific payments are worth is to get an actual quote — not a generic estimate.
We work with attorneys and partners experienced in Pennsylvania structured settlement transfers to help sellers throughout Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the rest of the state. You’ll get a real quote based on your actual payment schedule, an explanation of the required disclosures before you sign anything, and guidance through the Pennsylvania court approval process from people who handle these filings regularly. There’s no fee to get a quote, and requesting one doesn’t commit you to selling.
→ Request your free Pennsylvania structured settlement quote
What Is a Structured Settlement?
A structured settlement is a set of tax-free payments made on a regular schedule following a lawsuit settlement, typically funded through an annuity issued by an insurance company. Common sources include personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases.
Note: our funding partner does not currently purchase payment rights arising from workers’ compensation settlements.
If you’d rather sell a different kind of payment stream, see our page on selling life-contingent payments, the general overview of selling a structured settlement, or how to get a quote.
How to Sell a Structured Settlement in Pennsylvania (Step by Step)
1. Get quotes from more than one factoring company
Industry-wide, discount rates on structured settlement purchases commonly run 9%–18%. Sellers who work with AnnuityFreedom.net’s network have accessed rates as low as 8% in qualifying cases — worth asking about when you compare quotes.
2. Receive your written disclosure statement — at least 10 days before signing
Under 40 P.S. § 4003, the buyer must give you a disclosure statement, in bold type, at least ten days before you incur any obligation related to the transfer — in practice, before you sign. It has to show the amounts and due dates of the payments being transferred, the discounted present value and the discount rate used, and an itemized list of every commission, fee, or cost being deducted.
3. Sign the transfer agreement
Once you’re satisfied with the offer and disclosures, you sign the agreement — but the sale isn’t final yet.
4. Your case is filed in the court of common pleas
Under 40 P.S. § 4002, the court of common pleas of the judicial district where you’re domiciled has jurisdiction over the petition. For a Philadelphia seller, that’s the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas; for a Pittsburgh seller, it’s Allegheny County. The same rule applies statewide — wherever you live in Pennsylvania, the petition goes to your home county’s court of common pleas.
5. Interested parties get at least 20 days’ notice before the hearing
Pennsylvania’s Act requires notice of the proposed transfer and the petition to be filed and served at least twenty days before the scheduled hearing, giving the annuity issuer and other interested parties the chance to respond.
6. A judge reviews the sale at a court hearing
The judge must find that the transfer is in your best interest before approving it, taking into account your financial situation and the terms of the sale.
7. Funding — typically 45–60 days after you sign
Once the judge signs the approval order, the buyer funds your lump sum.
A Real Driver of Large Pennsylvania Settlements: Medical Malpractice Venue Rules
For nearly two decades, a 2003 court rule (Pa.R.C.P. 1006(a.1)) limited medical malpractice lawsuits to the county where the alleged malpractice occurred, which sharply reduced how many large cases were filed in Philadelphia — historically the source of some of the state’s biggest verdicts. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court eliminated that restriction effective January 1, 2023, and legal observers have already noted a resurgence of malpractice filings in Philadelphia and other urban counties. It’s a live, evolving area of Pennsylvania law worth knowing about if your structured settlement traces back to a medical malpractice case, since it helps explain why Pennsylvania — and Philadelphia specifically — continues to produce an outsized share of large settlements.
If Something Goes Wrong: Pennsylvania’s Consumer Protection Resources
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department — handles complaints involving insurance companies and annuity issuers. File through the Consumer Services Online Portal at insurance.pa.gov, or call the consumer hotline at 1-877-881-6388.
Pennsylvania Structured Settlement FAQ
How long does it take to sell a structured settlement in Pennsylvania?
Typically 45–60 days, covering the 10-day disclosure period, the 20-day court notice period, and the hearing itself.
How much money will I get for my structured settlement?
It depends on the discount rate applied. Industry-wide, that’s commonly 9%–18%, though sellers who qualify through AnnuityFreedom.net’s network have accessed rates as low as 8% — plus how many payments you’re selling and how far in the future they’re scheduled.
Can I sell only part of my structured settlement?
Yes — Pennsylvania law allows partial transfers, so you can sell a portion of your payments and keep the rest on the original schedule.
Which court handles my case?
The court of common pleas in the judicial district where you’re domiciled — Philadelphia County for Philadelphia residents, Allegheny County for Pittsburgh residents, and your home county everywhere else in the state.
Do I need my own lawyer to sell?
It isn’t required, but the choice is yours — Pennsylvania’s Act doesn’t mandate retaining independent counsel to complete a sale.
Ready to Get a Real Number?
Now that you know how the process works, the next step is seeing what it means for your specific payments. Get a free, no-obligation quote and walk through the Pennsylvania court process with people who handle these filings regularly.
Sources
- 40 P.S. §§ 4001–4009 (Pennsylvania Structured Settlement Protection Act)
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department consumer complaint portal — insurance.pa.gov
- Pa.R.C.P. 1006 venue rule change (effective Jan. 1, 2023) — reported via multiple Pennsylvania legal sources; verify current status before publishing given ongoing legislative attention to this rule.
About the Author: Jovan Johnson, Esq. is a structured settlement & annuity specialist with 12 years of experience, based in California. He has also practiced as an attorney in consumer and small business bankruptcy and debt settlement. Annuity Freedom has been helping clients sell annuity payments since 2017.
About the Reviewer: Kevin Lowe is the Chief Operating Officer of Genex Capital and has more than a decade of experience in specialty finance and the structured settlement secondary market. Since joining Genex in 2013, he has overseen transaction management, investor relations, compliance, and strategic initiatives across the United States, working closely with annuitants, investors, legal professionals, and financial institutions.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for independent professional advice.