Class Action Payout Share Calculator

Work out class action payout share instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Class Action Payout Share Calculator

Headline class action settlements are gross figures. Court-approved attorneys' fees, notice and claims administration come out first, and the remainder is divided among valid claimants — often pro rata by loss rather than equally, which changes individual outcomes significantly.

Formulas

Net fund

Net = Gross settlement - Legal fees - Administration cost

Per claimant

Per claimant = Net fund / Number of valid claimants

Worked example

With the default values below, Class Action Payout Share Calculator returns Estimated payout per claimant of $8,214.29. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Gross settlement fund: 500,000,000
Legal fees and costs: 28
Notice and administration cost: 15,000,000
Valid claimants sharing the net fund: 42,000

Results

Estimated payout per claimant: $8,214.29
Net distributable fund: $345,000,000.00
Legal fees and costs: $140,000,000.00
Net fund as % of gross settlement: 69.00%

Step by step

1Values used
2Net fund
3Per claimant
4Estimated payout per claimant= 8,214.29
5Net distributable fund= 345,000,000.00
6Legal fees and costs= 140,000,000.00
7Net fund as % of gross settlement= 69.00

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Indicative estimate only. Fees, entitlements, limits and formulas vary by jurisdiction, statute, policy wording and the facts of the case. This is not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice — confirm with a qualified professional or the relevant authority.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Indicative estimate only. Fees, entitlements, limits and formulas vary by jurisdiction, statute, policy wording and the facts of the case. This is not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice — confirm with a qualified professional or the relevant authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the individual payout so much smaller than the headline?

Because fees and administration typically absorb 25-40% and the remainder is divided among a very large class.

Is the payout equal for everyone?

Rarely. Most plans allocate pro rata by documented loss or by a points matrix reflecting severity.