Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke announced recently that the program called quantitative easing (QE) will soon start to draw down and may be phased out later this year. It is a reason to celebrate for some because it means the economy is starting to pick back up. For others though, it could mean the start of rates and costs moving higher for everything from home loans to cashing out structured settlements.

“On Wednesday Fed Chairman Bernanke said … a policy of buying about $85 billion in bonds each month – could start phasing out later this year. But he characterized this as easing up on the accelerator, not applying the economy’s monetary brakes. US stock prices took a dive of about 1 percent as he spoke”. Bernanke did not state it was happening today, but he had to let the world markets know that it is planning to start soon and to be prepared for it.

World markets have been influenced by the actions of the Fed, even more so since the financial crisis of 2008. Bernanke said the Fed might slow the pace of its bond-buying program if the economy keeps improving. The Fed might stop expanding support of Treasury and mortgage bonds market altogether when the unemployment rate falls to 7 percent.

This could take place as early as 2014. The US job rate is currently hovering at 7.6 percent. “Our policy is in no way predetermined,” he quipped during his press conference that the Fed’s policymaking committee won’t be tied to a timetable if economic conditions change. When the rate does start to rise, it is “likely to be gradual,” Bernanke said.

Since rates are tied to so many other sectors of our economy, that means that rates and costs will begin to creep up everywhere else in the coming months. So, if you are currently receiving structured settlement annuity payments and wish to cash some of them in, the time should be sooner rather than later.

You can go to StructureQuote.com and get an immediate hassle free quote online or just give us a call at 1-877-905-7372.