What to do when a Alerus account holder dies
Contact Alerus's Alerus Wealth Management - Trust & Fiduciary — 5-step process, 6 required documents, and 3-5 business days after complete documentation is received
Retirement and Benefits Client Service Center
Phone1-800-433-1685
Mailing Address
Alerus Retirement and Benefits, PO Box 64535, St. Paul, MN 55164-0535
WebsiteLearn more→
Alerus Wealth Management - Trust & Fiduciary
Phone1-800-279-3200
Emailalerus@alerus.com
Mailing Address
Alerus Financial, N.A., PO Box 6001, Grand Forks, ND 58206-6001
WebsiteLearn more→
Retirement and Benefits Client Service Center
Phone1-800-433-1685
Mailing Address
Alerus Retirement and Benefits, PO Box 64535, St. Paul, MN 55164-0535
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
What happens to Alerus retirement accounts after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with Alerus's Alerus Wealth Management - Trust & Fiduciary (1-800-433-1685) to claim the funds.
Alerus offers an online claims portal that makes the initial filing process more straightforward. Survivors can also initiate claims by phone or by mailing documentation directly.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Alerus requires:
Filing a claim
1
Call Alerus Retirement and Benefits at 800-433-1685 to notify them of the participant's death
2
A retirement specialist will explain the claims process and provide required forms
3
Complete and submit required documentation:
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Beneficiary distribution claim form provided by Alerus
- Additional documents based on beneficiary type (trust documents, Letters Testamentary, etc.)
4
Choose distribution option (varies by beneficiary type and plan):
- Surviving spouse: roll over to inherited IRA, keep the account as owner, or take lump sum
- Non-spouse beneficiary: IRA rollover to inherited IRA or lump sum withdrawal
- Remain in plan if permitted by plan provisions
5
Alerus processes the distribution after receiving complete documentation
Required Documents
- Certified copy of death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary or claimant
- Completed beneficiary distribution claim form (provided by Alerus)
- Marriage certificate (if claiming as surviving spouse)
- Trust documents (if trust is the named beneficiary)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if estate is beneficiary)
How long the process takes at Alerus: 3-5 business days after complete documentation is received. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Documentation required by Alerus includes Certified copy of death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary or claimant, and Completed beneficiary distribution claim form (provided by Alerus), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Beneficiaries may have several options depending on the plan: roll over funds to an IRA, take a lump sum distribution, or remain in the current plan if permitted. Surviving spouses who are primary beneficiaries may also roll over into an inherited IRA for continued tax-deferred growth. Distribution rules depend on the beneficiary type, relationship, and the plan provisions.
The beneficiary or a family member should call Alerus at 800-433-1685 to report the death. Alerus will provide the required claim forms and explain distribution options. Beneficiaries must submit a certified death certificate, government-issued ID, and the completed claim form. Surviving spouse beneficiaries may roll over the balance to an inherited IRA, keep the account as owner, or take a lump sum. Non-spouse beneficiaries may roll over to an inherited IRA or take a lump sum. For HSAs, a surviving spouse beneficiary inherits the HSA as their own; a non-spouse beneficiary receives a taxable distribution.
Alerus's Retirement and Benefits Client Service Center can be reached by phone at 1-800-433-1685 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Alerus retirement accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Alerus Wealth Management - Trust & Fiduciary can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Retirement and Benefits Client Service Center
Phone1-800-433-1685
Mailing Address
Alerus Retirement and Benefits, PO Box 64535, St. Paul, MN 55164-0535
WebsiteLearn more→
Alerus Wealth Management - Trust & Fiduciary
Phone1-800-279-3200
Emailalerus@alerus.com
Mailing Address
Alerus Financial, N.A., PO Box 6001, Grand Forks, ND 58206-6001
WebsiteLearn more→
Retirement and Benefits Client Service Center
Phone1-800-433-1685
Mailing Address
Alerus Retirement and Benefits, PO Box 64535, St. Paul, MN 55164-0535
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Alerus accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
