Estate planning at American Century
How to protect 12 American Century accounts — manage beneficiaries online, fund a trust online, and file claims through American Century's Estate Transfer Specialists
Phone1-800-345-2021
Mailing Address
American Century Investments, PO Box 419200, Kansas City, MO 64141
24-Hour Automated Line
Brokerage Services
Business Retirement Services (403(b), SIMPLE, SEP)
Advisory Services (Private Client Group)
International (Priority)
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Transfer Specialist
Phone1-800-422-3301
Fax1-888-327-2014
Mailing Address
American Century Investments, PO Box 419200, Kansas City, MO 64141
Verified Apr 2026
American Century has 12 investment accounts, each with different rules for what happens when the account holder dies. Of those, 11 can name a trust as beneficiary or be retitled into a trust. The right combination of beneficiary designations and trust ownership can keep the entire portfolio out of probate.
Beneficiary designations at American Century can be managed online, by mail, and by phone, typically taking 15-20 minutes online; 20-30 minutes by mail. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle brokerage accounts into a trust.
American Century has documented procedures for both preparing accounts during your lifetime and handling claims when an account holder passes away.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to manage beneficiaries online, fund a trust online, and review 12 account types at American Century.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
Contact American Century's Estate Transfer Specialists to file a claim. 6-step process, 8 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →For questions about any of these procedures, contact American Century's Estate Transfer Specialists at 1-888-345-9166.
Frequently asked questions
Per stirpes designations are not available through the standard online beneficiary tool or the standard Designation of Beneficiary form. To set up a per stirpes designation, call American Century at 1-800-345-2021 to request the appropriate per stirpes form. Under a per stirpes arrangement, if a primary or secondary beneficiary predeceases you, that beneficiary's share passes to their surviving lineal descendants by right of representation.
The minimum initial investment to establish a brokerage account at American Century is $2,500; subsequent investment minimum is $50. Semiannual account maintenance fee (charged in April and October, based on American Century mutual fund assets on the last business day of March/September): $50 for balances under $10,000, $25 for $10,000-$19,999, waived at $20,000+. The fee is also waived for Priority Investors (Silver/Gold/Platinum), accounts with electronic delivery of statements and documents, or accounts meeting the required commissionable trade frequency. Annual IRA custodial fee: $50, waived for balances over $10,000 or Priority Investors. Equity and stock transaction commissions vary by Priority Investor tier: Platinum ($500K+) at $9.95, Gold ($250K-$499K) at $14.95, Silver ($100K-$249K) at $19.95. American Century no-transaction-fee (NTF) mutual funds are available without a commission. Fee schedule effective February 15, 2026.
To re-register an existing non-retirement account in the name of your trust, complete the Transfer of Ownership form available at americancentury.com/forms. Include a copy of the first page of the trust agreement, the signature page, and the pages identifying all trustees. Provide the trust Tax ID number (EIN) for IRS reporting; if not provided, the first trustee SSN listed will be used. For brokerage accounts, also complete the Brokerage Estate/Trust Account Application and the Trustee Certification of Investment Powers form. IRA accounts cannot be retitled to a trust; instead, designate the trust as the IRA beneficiary.
Yes. American Century provides access to Atticus, an online tool offering information and resources on estate settlement, probate, and inheritance. Atticus is available at no cost to American Century clients, regardless of whether the inherited assets are held at American Century or another firm. Atticus, Inc. is not affiliated with American Century Investments. For personalized assistance, call the Estate Transfer Specialists at 1-800-422-3301 (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT) to be assigned a dedicated specialist.
Sources
Data sourced from American Century primary sources (26 pages reviewed). How we research.
Phone1-800-345-2021
Mailing Address
American Century Investments, PO Box 419200, Kansas City, MO 64141
24-Hour Automated Line
Brokerage Services
Business Retirement Services (403(b), SIMPLE, SEP)
Advisory Services (Private Client Group)
International (Priority)
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Transfer Specialist
Phone1-800-422-3301
Fax1-888-327-2014
Mailing Address
American Century Investments, PO Box 419200, Kansas City, MO 64141
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your American Century accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
