What to do when a American Century account holder dies
Contact American Century's Estate Transfer Specialists — 10-step process, 8 required documents, and timelines vary by account type and documentation completeness; a dedicated estate transfer specialist monitors the transfer and confirms when assets are received
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 Mar 2026
When a American Century account holder passes away, the next step depends on how the investment accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with American Century's Estate Transfer Specialists (1-800-422-3301) to access and distribute the funds.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting American Century. A certified death certificate is the primary document required to start any claim.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at American Century:
Filing a claim
1Call American Century Investments at 1-800-422-3301 to notify them of the death and begin the estate settlement process; an Estate Transfer Specialist will be assigned as your single point of contact
2Download the Inheritance Checklist (CL-FRM-87731) from americancentury.com/forms to organize required documents
3Obtain certified copies of the death certificate
4The Estate Transfer Specialist will provide a customized packet of forms and applications based on the account types held
5For TOD (non-retirement) accounts: provide a certified death certificate, proof of identity for each beneficiary, Taxpayer Identification numbers, and a statement that there are no known disputes; complete the TOD Account Instruction Form
6For IRA and retirement accounts: provide the death certificate and complete the Beneficiary Instruction Form; beneficiaries may open an Inherited IRA to receive assets
7For trust accounts: provide the death certificate, trust documentation identifying successor trustees, and complete a Transfer of Ownership form if a new trustee is taking control
8For accounts without a beneficiary designation: provide probate documents (letters testamentary or letters of administration) or a small estate affidavit if permitted by state law; complete the Decedent Account Instruction Form (DAIF)
9Submit required forms and documents by mail or fax to the appropriate address for the account type
10Work with the assigned Estate Transfer Specialist to monitor the process and receive confirmation when assets transfer
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued ID for beneficiaries, successor trustees, or estate representatives
- For TOD accounts: full name, address, and Taxpayer Identification number for each beneficiary; statement of no known disputes; inheritance tax waiver if required by decedent's state
- For inherited IRA accounts: Beneficiary Instruction Form; Inherited IRA application
- For trust accounts: trust document pages identifying successor trustees; Transfer of Ownership form
- For probate estates: certified copy of letters testamentary or letters of administration; Decedent Account Instruction Form (DAIF)
- For 403(b) and 457(b) accounts: death certificate and applicable plan distribution request forms
- Notarized signature of any beneficiary or personal representative of the estate (required for TOD transfers)
American Century assigns an Estate Transfer Specialist as a single point of contact for inheritance and estate settlement. The specialist provides a customized packet of forms, assists with paperwork for both American Century and the transferring institution, helps with investment choices, and monitors the process. The Inheritance Checklist (CL-FRM-87731) is available on the forms page and provides a step-by-step guide for gathering documents and notifying relevant entities. For brokerage accounts, contact 1-888-345-2071 and use the brokerage-specific forms. For mailed brokerage documents: American Century Brokerage, PO Box 419146, Kansas City, MO 64141. Overnight delivery address: 801 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 419200, Kansas City, MO 64105-1307.
Processing timelines at American Century: Timelines vary by account type and documentation completeness; a dedicated Estate Transfer Specialist monitors the transfer and confirms when assets are received. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
American Century requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of the death certificate, Valid government-issued ID for beneficiaries, successor trustees, or estate representatives, and For TOD accounts: full name, address, and Taxpayer Identification number for each beneficiary; statement of no known disputes; inheritance tax waiver if required by decedent's state, and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A trust can be named as a primary or contingent beneficiary on both retirement accounts (IRA, 403(b), etc.) and non-retirement accounts (via TOD designation). For retirement accounts, use the Designation of Beneficiary form (CL-FRM-96342) and attach a copy of the trust title page, signature page, and any pages identifying successor trustees. For non-retirement accounts, use the Transfer on Death (TOD) Agreement and attach the same trust documentation. A trust that does not exist at the time of the investor's death will not receive assets.
Complete the Transfer on Death (TOD) Agreement form (CL-FRM-95684.1), available at americancentury.com/forms. TOD designation is available for individual accounts, joint tenants with rights of survivorship accounts, and accounts owned by tenants by the entireties. It cannot be used for IRAs or other retirement accounts. Primary and secondary (contingent) beneficiaries can be named. If you reside in a community property state and name a non-spouse as beneficiary on an individual account, notarized spousal consent is required. TOD designations are governed by Missouri law (Chapter 461, RSMo).
If you have a TOD or beneficiary designation on file, American Century will transfer assets directly to surviving beneficiaries upon receipt of a certified death certificate and required identification, without probate. For retirement accounts, beneficiaries open an Inherited IRA to receive funds. If no designation is on file, the account becomes part of your estate and distribution requires probate documents. American Century provides an Inheritance Checklist (available at americancentury.com/forms) and assigns a dedicated Estate Transfer Specialist to guide beneficiaries through the process. Call 1-800-422-3301 to start the estate settlement process.
When an IRA owner dies, named beneficiaries open an Inherited IRA (Beneficiary Traditional/Rollover IRA or Beneficiary Roth IRA) at American Century to receive assets. The Beneficiary Instruction Form is used to provide instructions for the inherited account. An Estate Transfer Specialist at 1-888-345-9166 can help initiate the transfer, assist with paperwork, and explain distribution requirements. Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rules for inherited IRAs vary based on the beneficiary type and date of death.
Yes, in certain circumstances. For IRA accounts: if you are married and reside in a community property state and wish to name a non-spouse as primary beneficiary, you must obtain notarized spousal consent (step 5 of form CL-FRM-96342). For non-retirement (TOD) accounts: the same rule applies in community property states for individual accounts. For 403(b) accounts subject to the ERISA Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity (QPSA) provision: notarized spousal consent is required regardless of state of residence. American Century is not liable for consequences resulting from an investor's failure to obtain required spousal consent.
American Century's Estate Transfer Specialist can be reached by phone at 1-800-422-3301 and fax at 1-888-327-2014 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple American Century investment accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Estate Transfer Specialists can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
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 Mar 2026
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