How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Aetna
Covers 9 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Aetna Customer Service Center
Aetna Life Insurance Company, 151 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06156
Aetna Customer Service Center
Aetna Life Insurance Company, 151 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06156
Aetna Voluntary Plans - Group Life Claims
Aetna Voluntary Plans, Attn: Claim Department, PO Box 14079, Lexington, KY 40512-4079
Estate planning with Aetna policies centers on beneficiary designations—the single most important step for ensuring life insurance proceeds and annuity benefits reach the intended recipients without probate involvement. Unlike bank or brokerage accounts, insurance products are not retitled into trusts; instead, trusts are named as beneficiaries when estate tax planning or controlled distributions are needed.
Aetna has 9 policies with different estate transfer rules. Here is how beneficiary designations, trust ownership, and probate apply to each one.
- Full legal names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, relationships, and percentage allocations totaling 100%
- For trusts: select trust as beneficiary type and provide the full legal trust name, date established, trustee name, and trust EIN
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Beneficiary changes for group life insurance are typically processed through the employer HR or benefits department
- The Designation of Beneficiary form revokes all prior beneficiary designations when submitted
- If any named beneficiary predeceases the insured, proceeds are payable equally to remaining named beneficiaries unless otherwise specified
- If no named beneficiary survives the insured, proceeds are payable as prescribed in the Group Policy (typically to the estate)
- In community property states (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI), the spouse may have a legal claim to a portion of the life insurance benefit, and naming someone other than the spouse may delay payment
- Beneficiary designations override instructions in a will
- Children under 18 cannot receive benefits directly; name a custodian under UTMA/UGMA or a trust instead
- Include Social Security numbers, addresses, and phone numbers for all beneficiaries to avoid delays
Sources
Data sourced from Aetna primary sources (10 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Aetna instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Aetna primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Aetna Customer Service Center
Aetna Life Insurance Company, 151 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06156
Aetna Customer Service Center
Aetna Life Insurance Company, 151 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06156
Aetna Voluntary Plans - Group Life Claims
Aetna Voluntary Plans, Attn: Claim Department, PO Box 14079, Lexington, KY 40512-4079
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Aetna accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
Learn more
Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
Learn more
New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
Learn more
Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreMore estate planning resources
Explore related tools and documents to complete your estate plan.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a will. See document costs plus probate fees your heirs will pay. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys.
