What to do when a VALIC account holder dies
Contact VALIC — 5-step process, 8 required documents, and 5 business days after all requirements received in good order
Corebridge Retirement Services
Phone1-800-448-2542
Fax1-877-202-0187
Mailing Address
Corebridge Retirement Services, P.O. Box 15648, Amarillo, TX 79105-5648 (Overnight: 1050 N. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79106-7011)
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Retirement Planning & Job Changes
Brokerage, Mutual Funds & Insurance
Independent Advisors
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Corebridge Retirement Services
Phone1-800-448-2542
Fax1-877-202-0187
Mailing Address
Corebridge Retirement Services, P.O. Box 15648, Amarillo, TX 79105-5648 (Overnight: 1050 N. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79106-7011)
Enrollment Center
Retirement Planning & Job Changes
Brokerage, Mutual Funds & Insurance
Independent Advisors
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone1-800-448-2542
Fax1-877-202-0187
Mailing Address
Corebridge Retirement Services, P.O. Box 15648, Amarillo, TX 79105-5648 (Overnight: 1050 N. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79106-7011)
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
When an insured person dies, the beneficiary or executor should contact VALIC's Death Claims at 1-800-448-2542 to start the claims process. Insurance proceeds are paid directly to the named beneficiary and do not go through probate. How quickly the claim is processed depends on the policy type, documentation, and cause of death.
VALIC provides an online portal for initiating death claims, which can simplify the initial notification and document submission process. Claims can also be started by phone or by mailing the required documents.
Death claim process
The death claim process at VALIC works as follows:
Filing a claim
1
Report the death to Corebridge Financial online at corebridgefinancial.com/support/report-death-claim or by phone at 1-800-448-2542
2
Corebridge mails a claims packet to all beneficiaries within 5 business days of notification (for benefits over $15,000)
3
Each beneficiary completes a separate Death Claim Form (VL 995)
4
Submit required documentation:
- Certified death certificate (original required if cumulative value exceeds $50,000; copy accepted for lesser values)
- Government-issued ID for each beneficiary
- Trust documents and trustee identification if a trust is the beneficiary
5
Corebridge reviews and processes the claim within 5 business days once all requirements are received in good order
Required Documents
- Completed Death Claim Form (VL 995) for each beneficiary
- Proof of death (type depends on benefit amount; see notes for thresholds)
- Government-issued ID for each beneficiary
- Original or copy of policy (if available; note if unavailable on Claimant's Statement)
- Trust documents and trustee identification (if trust is beneficiary)
- Taxpayer Identification Number for trust (if applicable)
- Proof of Heirship Affidavit (AGLC5081) for estate beneficiaries
- Affidavit Concerning Custody of a Minor (if beneficiary is a minor)
Claims Contact
The online death reporting form at corebridgefinancial.com is for Individual Life Insurance Policy Claims only; for annuity/retirement death claims, call 1-800-448-2542. If the total benefit amount is greater than $15,000, a claims packet is sent to all beneficiaries within 5 business days of notification. Each beneficiary must submit a separate claim form. Proof of death requirements vary by benefit amount: $15,000 or less (natural death, 2+ years post-issue) accepts an obituary, funeral program, funeral home bill, Proof of Death form, or death certificate copy; $15,001-$50,000 requires a Proof of Death form or death certificate copy; $50,001-$100,000 requires a death certificate copy; over $100,000 requires an original certified death certificate. Deaths within 2 years of policy issue, accidental deaths, homicides, and foreign deaths all require a certified death certificate regardless of amount. Florida requires long-form certificates listing cause of death. Foreign death certificates must be certified and translated to English. Estate beneficiaries must complete a Proof of Heirship Affidavit (AGLC5081). Minor beneficiaries require an Affidavit Concerning Custody of a Minor.
Expected timelines at VALIC: 5 business days after all requirements received in good order. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
VALIC requires several documents to process a claim, including Completed Death Claim Form (VL 995) for each beneficiary, Proof of death (type depends on benefit amount; see notes for thresholds), and Government-issued ID for each beneficiary, 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
Upon death of the contract holder, the beneficiary receives the greater of either the current account value or the Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit (GMDB). The specific GMDB calculation varies by product and contract terms.
VALIC pays claims only to a custodian or through an alternative guardianship arrangement for minor beneficiaries. When naming a minor, designate a custodian under your state Uniform Transfers (Gifts) To Minors Act using form VL 14945-2 (Additional Beneficiary Custodian for Minor Sheet).
VALIC's Death Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-448-2542 and fax at 1-877-202-0187 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple VALIC policies, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Death Claims can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Corebridge Retirement Services
Phone1-800-448-2542
Fax1-877-202-0187
Mailing Address
Corebridge Retirement Services, P.O. Box 15648, Amarillo, TX 79105-5648 (Overnight: 1050 N. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79106-7011)
Enrollment Center
Retirement Planning & Job Changes
Brokerage, Mutual Funds & Insurance
Independent Advisors
WebsiteLearn more→
Corebridge Retirement Services
Phone1-800-448-2542
Fax1-877-202-0187
Mailing Address
Corebridge Retirement Services, P.O. Box 15648, Amarillo, TX 79105-5648 (Overnight: 1050 N. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79106-7011)
Enrollment Center
Retirement Planning & Job Changes
Brokerage, Mutual Funds & Insurance
Independent Advisors
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone1-800-448-2542
Fax1-877-202-0187
Mailing Address
Corebridge Retirement Services, P.O. Box 15648, Amarillo, TX 79105-5648 (Overnight: 1050 N. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79106-7011)
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
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