What to do when a ADP account holder dies
Contact ADP — 5-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
Participant Call Center (alternate)
ADP TotalSource Plans
Client Services (Plan Sponsors)
New 401(k) Plan Setup
Enrollment Information
General ADP Support
Sales
WebsiteLearn more→
ADP Participant Services
Phone1-800-695-7526
Participant Call Center (alternate)
ADP TotalSource Plans
Client Services (Plan Sponsors)
New 401(k) Plan Setup
Enrollment Information
General ADP Support
Sales
WebsiteLearn more→
ADP Participant Services (Death Claims)
Phone1-800-695-7526
Participant Call Center (alternate)
ADP TotalSource Plans
Verified Apr 2026
After a ADP account holder dies, accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer to the designated recipients without probate. Solely-owned accounts require the estate's representative to contact ADP's ADP Participant Services (Death Claims) at 1-800-695-7526 with the proper legal authority documents.
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
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what ADP requires:
Filing a claim
1
Contact ADP Participant Services at 800-695-7526 or the deceased participant's employer HR department to report the death
2
Request the death claim packet from ADP or the plan administrator
3
Beneficiary completes the Death Benefit Claim Request form and submits documentation:
- Certified copy of death certificate and beneficiary identification
- For trust beneficiaries: trust certification form and full copy of trust agreement
- For estate beneficiaries: certified Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
4
ADP reviews documentation and processes distribution per beneficiary designation and plan rules
5
Beneficiary 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.
Documentation required by ADP includes Certified copy of death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for each beneficiary, and Completed Death Benefit Claim Request form, along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Contact ADP Participant Services at 800-695-7526 or reach out to the deceased participant's employer HR department. ADP or the plan administrator will provide a death claim packet. The beneficiary must complete the Death Benefit Claim Request form and submit a certified death certificate, government-issued photo ID, and any applicable trust or estate documents. Distribution options typically include lump sum, rollover to an IRA, or installments, depending on the plan.
ADP's ADP Participant Services (Death Claims) can be reached by phone at 1-800-695-7526 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple ADP retirement accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the ADP Participant Services (Death Claims) to confirm what applies.
ADP Participant Services
Phone1-800-695-7526
Participant Call Center (alternate)
ADP TotalSource Plans
Client Services (Plan Sponsors)
New 401(k) Plan Setup
Enrollment Information
General ADP Support
Sales
WebsiteLearn more→
ADP Participant Services
Phone1-800-695-7526
Participant Call Center (alternate)
ADP TotalSource Plans
Client Services (Plan Sponsors)
New 401(k) Plan Setup
Enrollment Information
General ADP Support
Sales
WebsiteLearn more→
ADP Participant Services (Death Claims)
Phone1-800-695-7526
Participant Call Center (alternate)
ADP TotalSource Plans
Verified Apr 2026
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Learn how to protect your ADP accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
