What to do when a ADP account holder dies
Contact ADP — 9-step process, 7 required documents, and varies by plan type and complexity; typically 2-6 weeks after receipt of all required documentation
ADP Participant Services
Phone1-800-695-7526
ADP TotalSource Plans
Client Services (Plan Sponsors)
New 401(k) Plan Setup
Sales
ADP Participant Services
Phone1-800-695-7526
ADP TotalSource Plans
Client Services (Plan Sponsors)
New 401(k) Plan Setup
Sales
Verified Feb 2026
When a ADP account holder passes away, the next step depends on how the retirement accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with ADP's ADP Participant Services (Death Claims) (1-800-695-7526) to access and distribute the funds.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting ADP. A certified death certificate is the primary document required to start any claim.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at ADP:
Filing a claim
1Contact ADP Participant Services at 800-695-7526 to report the death
2Or contact the deceased participant's employer HR department
3Request the death claim packet from ADP or the plan administrator
4Beneficiary completes the Death Benefit Claim Request form
5Submit certified copy of death certificate and beneficiary identification
6For trust beneficiaries: submit trust certification form and full copy of trust agreement
7For estate beneficiaries: submit certified Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
8ADP reviews documentation and processes distribution per beneficiary designation and plan rules
9Beneficiary selects distribution option: lump sum, rollover to IRA, or installments (options vary by plan)
Required Documents
- Certified copy of death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for each beneficiary
- Completed Death Benefit Claim Request form
- Trust certification form and full trust copy (if trust is beneficiary)
- Certified Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if estate is beneficiary)
- Tax withholding election forms (W-4R or W-4P)
- Rollover election form (if rolling over to IRA)
Death claims phone: 800-695-7526. Contact the employer HR department first if possible, as some plans route death claims through the plan sponsor. ADP TotalSource plans use a separate number: 855-646-7549. Mailing address varies by plan -- follow the instructions in the death claim packet.
Processing timelines at ADP: Varies by plan type and complexity; typically 2-6 weeks after receipt of all required documentation. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
ADP requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for each beneficiary, and Completed Death Benefit Claim Request form, and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. ADP retirement plans allow trusts to be named as beneficiaries. Complete a beneficiary designation form with the trust name, date established, and trustee information. At death, a trust certification form and full copy of the trust agreement are required to process the claim. Note that trust beneficiaries are subject to SECURE Act 2.0 distribution rules, which may affect payout timelines.
Call ADP Participant Services at 800-695-7526 or contact the deceased participant's employer HR department. ADP will provide a death claim packet containing the required forms. You will need a certified death certificate, government-issued photo ID, and the completed Death Benefit Claim Request form. Additional documents such as trust certification or Letters Testamentary may be required depending on the beneficiary type.
No. Employer-sponsored retirement accounts (401(k), 403(b), defined benefit plans) and IRAs cannot be retitled to a trust during the account owner's lifetime. Instead, you can name your trust as the beneficiary of these accounts. At death, the plan assets transfer to the trust per your beneficiary designation.
ADP's ADP Participant Services (Death Claims) can be reached by phone at 1-800-695-7526 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple ADP retirement accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The ADP Participant Services (Death Claims) can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
ADP Participant Services
Phone1-800-695-7526
ADP TotalSource Plans
Client Services (Plan Sponsors)
New 401(k) Plan Setup
Sales
ADP Participant Services
Phone1-800-695-7526
ADP TotalSource Plans
Client Services (Plan Sponsors)
New 401(k) Plan Setup
Sales
Verified Feb 2026
Tools for settling a ADP estate
Calculators and checklists to help navigate estate settlement after a ADP account holder passes away.
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