How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Alerus
Covers 6 retirement accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
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 Feb 2026
Estate planning for Alerus retirement retirement accounts revolves around beneficiary designations. These designations—not a will—control who receives the account balance at death. For IRAs and employer-sponsored plans, the beneficiary designation also determines the tax treatment of inherited distributions, making it a decision with both legal and financial implications.
Alerus offers 6 retirement accounts, each with its own transfer rules. The sections below cover how to set up beneficiaries, fund a trust, and which products support each approach.
401(k) Plan403(b) PlanProfit Sharing PlanEmployee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)Defined Benefit PlanCash Balance Plan
1Log in to My Alerus (first-time users must set up online access)
2Select your plan under the Accounts section
3Click Plan Summary in the right-side menu
4Select Manage Beneficiaries from the left options
5Choose to add, edit, or remove a beneficiary
6Complete beneficiary questions and proceed
7Review and modify primary and secondary beneficiaries
8Verify accuracy and click Finish
9Print or save the confirmation summary via the Save Confirmation link
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Spousal consent required for married participants naming a non-spouse as primary beneficiary on ERISA-covered plans; spouse is the automatic primary beneficiary unless waived in notarized form
- Trusts can be named as beneficiaries with documentation creating a trust agreement or will provisions
- Per stirpes designations supported by including the designation after the beneficiary name
- Beneficiaries must survive the account holder to receive distributions
- Update beneficiary designations after marriage, divorce, legal separation, or birth of additional children
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 Feb 2026
Estate planning documents for Alerus customers
Free documents designed to protect your Alerus accounts.