What to do when a American Century account holder dies
Contact American Century's Estate Transfer Specialists — 6-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 Apr 2026
After a American Century account holder dies, accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer to the designated recipients without probate. Solely-owned accounts require the estate's representative to contact American Century's Estate Transfer Specialists at 1-800-422-3301 with the proper legal authority documents.
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
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what American Century requires:
Filing a claim
1
Call 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
2
Gather initial documentation:
- Download the Inheritance Checklist (CL-FRM-87731) from americancentury.com/forms to organize required documents
- Obtain certified copies of the death certificate
3
The Estate Transfer Specialist will provide a customized packet of forms and applications based on the account types held
4
Complete the appropriate settlement process based on account type:
- 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
- IRA and retirement accounts: provide the death certificate and complete the Beneficiary Instruction Form; beneficiaries may open an Inherited IRA to receive assets
- 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
- 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)
5
Submit required forms and documents by mail or fax to the appropriate address for the account type
6
Work 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.
How long the process takes 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. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Documentation required by American Century includes 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, along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
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).
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.
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts have a separate death beneficiary designation that applies if the designated beneficiary (the child or student) dies before the funds are used. This is distinct from the standard IRA beneficiary designation. The CESA Designation of Death Beneficiary form is available at americancentury.com/forms. Contributions are capped at $2,000 per year per beneficiary, are not tax-deductible, and remaining assets must be distributed by the time the designated beneficiary turns 30 (no age restriction for special needs beneficiaries as defined by the IRS).
For joint tenants with rights of survivorship (JTWROS) accounts, the surviving joint owner automatically retains ownership of the account. If a TOD beneficiary designation was in place on a JTWROS account, the TOD designation takes effect only after the last surviving joint owner dies. For tenants in common accounts, the deceased owner's share passes according to their estate plan (will, trust, or state intestacy law) and may require probate documentation. Contact an Estate Transfer Specialist at 1-800-422-3301 to begin the process.
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.
Multiple American Century investment accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Estate Transfer Specialists to confirm what applies.
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.
