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 May 2026
Beneficiary designations on Alerus retirement retirement accounts carry more weight than most people realize. They override a will, control who receives the balance, and determine the tax treatment of inherited distributions. Reviewing these designations after any major life change is essential.
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
1
Log in to My Alerus (first-time users: set up online access at login.alerus.com/signup)
2
Select your plan under Accounts
3
Click Plan Summary in the right menu
4
Select Manage Beneficiaries on the left
5
Choose to add, edit, or remove a beneficiary
6
Complete beneficiary questions:
- Enter primary and secondary beneficiary details
- Specify percentage allocations
- For trust beneficiaries: enter trust name, date established, and EIN
7
Verify accuracy and click Finish
8
Save or print the confirmation summary
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 May 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Alerus accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
