Settlement Preservation Pooled Trust (SPPT)

A Settlement Preservation Pooled Trust (SPPT) is a trust arrangement designed for vulnerable individuals and minors, aiming to safeguard and manage funds received from a settlement or court award while preserving the individual's assets.

Joining Documentation

What is a Settlement

Preservation Pooled Trust?

In this insightful video, discover the remarkable benefits of our Settlement Preservation Pooled Trust. Join our Counsel & Director of Client Services, Ben Tiefenback, as he delves into the details and advantages of this valuable resource.

Funding the Sub-account

Funds used to establish the trust must be from a settlement or court award to the Beneficiary. CCT has a minimum of $8,000 and no maximum amount needed to fund the trust. CCT accepts cash assets or structured settlement payments for deposit into the trust; no real estate and non-cash assets can be accepted. Once funded, the trust is irrevocable.

How Funds in the Trust Can Be Used

Based on the terms of the Master Trust Agreement, CCT has the discretion to decide when to approve a disbursement request unless it is required by court order. All disbursement requests are evaluated through the lens of CCT’s fiduciary duty to its Beneficiaries, and through the Health, Education, Maintenance and Support (HEMS) standard.


For more information, see our Disbursement Information Manual.


Disbursement Information Manual

  • Disbursement requests are reviewed and approved based on the following criteria:

    • Is the request for the benefit of the Beneficiary?
    • Is the request related to HEMS - health, education, maintenance and support of the Beneficiary?
    • Are there adequate funds in the trust to cover the request?
    • Is the request prudent?
    • Was supporting documentation provided?
    • For minors, see page 2 of CCT's Disbursement Manual for special considerations.

Additional Resources

CCT Trust IPS

The Investment Policy Statement (IPS) is carefully crafted and reviewed regularly by the CCT Board of Director’s Finance and Investment Committee.

Important Definitions

  • Sub-Account

    A sub-account refers to the account holding funds for an individual Beneficiary.  Funds deposited into this sub-account are used solely for that Beneficiary.  The sub-account is governed by the terms of the CCT Settelment Preservation Pooled Trust Master Trust Agreement and the completed Joinder Agreement, which states what will happen to any remaining funds if the Beneficiary passes away. 

  • Pooled Trust

    A pooled trust refers to a unique trust structure when there is one Master Trust Agreement, but multiple beneficiaries that each have their own sub-account that is set up using a Joinder Agreement, the legal document to join the pooled trust.  The funds in the sub-accounts are pooled only for investment purposes.  Even still, the funds put into a Beneficiary’s sub-account are only used for that Beneficiary and the Beneficiary and their advocates have access to their balance and all disbursements through the CCT secure online portal or mobile app, or by mail upon request. 

  • Joinder Agreement

    The Joinder Agreement, our legal document to join the pooled trust, establishes the sub-account for the Beneficiary and gives essential information about the Beneficiary and the sub-account. CCT has a sample Joinder Agreement that is helpful when completing a new Joinder Agreement. 

Additional Definitions

Have questions?

If you have any questions about the process, please don’t hesitate to call our office at 804-740-6930 or email us at contact@trustCCT.org. Our staff is available to answer your questions Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET.


Mailing Address:

Commonwealth Community Trust
P.O. Box 29408
Richmond, VA 23242-0408


Settlement Preservation Pooled Trust