What to do when an Allianz Life account holder dies
Report the death to Allianz Life's Claims Department at 1-800-950-1962
Filing a death claim on a Allianz Life policy begins with notifying the Claims Department at 1-800-950-1962. Life insurance claims are separate from probate—proceeds transfer directly to named beneficiaries regardless of whether the estate goes through court. The timeline and documentation requirements depend on the policy type and cause of death.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Allianz Life requires:
Filing a claim
- The deceased person's name, contract or policy numbers, date of death, and beneficiary information
- A contract number that begins with letters is a variable annuity; life insurance policies and fixed annuity contracts carry no letters
- It carries contract-specific instructions and a cover letter setting out the available death benefit values, which can differ by the payout option chosen
- Allianz states that some beneficiaries are eligible to complete and submit the claim online instead of returning the paper form; the packet says whether that option is open on this contract
- Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, PO Box 59060, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0060
- Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York, PO Box 59060, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0060
- The Allianz Claims department evaluates the claim within 10 business days of receiving all required documents, or per applicable state requirements
- If additional information is needed, Allianz contacts the beneficiary directly
- Payment is sent based on the selected payout option. A confirmation letter follows under separate cover setting out payment and taxability details
- The deceased person's name, date of birth, date of death, and last 4 digits of the Social Security number
- Up to 20 policy or contract numbers, added one at a time with the "Add one more policy" control
- Your relationship to the deceased person, chosen from a fixed list that includes Executor of the Estate, Trustee, Policy Owner, Pension Administrator, and Custodial Company Plan Administrator
- Your name, email, phone, and mailing address, so Allianz can reach you as the claim proceeds
- 800-950-1962 (fixed annuities, life insurance, and long-term care)
- 800-624-0197 (variable annuities)
- If the contract number begins with letters, it is a variable annuity; life insurance policies and fixed annuity contracts carry no letters
- The completed claim form packet Allianz mailed after notification
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- For a trust beneficiary, trust documentation; for an estate beneficiary, letters or other court appointment
- Minor, foreign, and qualified-plan beneficiaries each send additional documents
- Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, PO Box 59060, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0060
- Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York, PO Box 59060, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0060
Required Documents
- Completed claim formProvided in the claim form packet Allianz mails to each beneficiary after the death is reported.
- Certified copy of the death certificateOne certified copy.
- Government-issued photo identification, for each beneficiary
- Trust documents, if a trust is named as beneficiary
- Letters of administration or other court appointment, if the estate is the beneficiary
- Additional documentation, for a minor, foreign, or qualified retirement plan beneficiary
Forms Allianz Life issues1
What happens to each kind of account1
- Annuity
A surviving spouse who is the sole beneficiary, or the surviving joint owner (who is automatically the sole primary beneficiary), may be able to elect spousal continuation and keep the contract in force rather than take the death benefit.2
On a fixed index annuity, the death benefit is the greater of the accumulation value, guaranteed minimum value, cash value, or cumulative withdrawal amount.2
Spousal continuation is not available when a trust owns the annuity or is the beneficiary. A trust beneficiary generally takes a lump sum or a full distribution within five years of the annuitant's death.3
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York
Contracts issued in New York; its claims are administered from Minneapolis2
Mailing address: Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York, PO Box 59060, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0060
What Allianz Life provides to the estate1
- Tax forms
Any required tax forms are sent in the year following payment.2
What Allianz Life's agreement and guidance say4
- Who can get account information
Allianz discusses claim details only with the beneficiary or their authorized representative, such as an attorney-in-fact or guardian. An adult child who is not a beneficiary is not told the values.2
- How proceeds are paid
Annuity payout timing is set by the contract. Payment is sent based on the payout option selected from those the claim packet offers, and the death benefit values can differ by the payout option chosen.2
- What it says about taxes
Allianz states that a first non-qualified annuity payment issued more than a year after the death makes the entire taxable portion of the death benefit reportable as income in the year of that first payment.2
Allianz states that 10% federal withholding, plus mandatory state withholding where it applies, comes off the benefit unless the claimant completes the Section 5 tax withholding election to opt out.2
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
If a claim is not filed within the number of years applicable state law sets, the proceeds are treated as unclaimed property and remitted to the state.2
Claims are evaluated within 10 business days of receiving all required documents, or within applicable state requirements.
Allianz Life's Claims Department can be reached by phone at 1-800-950-1962 and fax at 1-763-582-6002 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Allianz Life primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Allianz Life death claims support
Claims Department
Phone
Variable Annuity Claims
Variable annuity claims fax
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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