How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at American Century
Covers 5 investment, and 7 retirement accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Phone1-800-345-2021
Fax1-888-327-1998
Mailing Address
American Century Investments, PO Box 419200, Kansas City, MO 64141
24-Hour Automated Information Line
Brokerage Services
Business Retirement Services (403(b), SIMPLE, SEP)
Advisory Services (Private Client Group)
Self-service online advisory accounts
International (Priority)
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Transfer Team / Legacy Planning
Phone1-800-345-2021
Estate representative line printed on the Inheritance Checklist
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Transfer Team
Phone1-800-422-3301
Fax1-877-288-5960
Mailing Address
American Century Investments, PO Box 419200, Kansas City, MO 64141-6200 (overnight: 801 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 419200, Kansas City, MO 64105-1307)
Mutual fund and IRA accounts
Brokerage accounts (fax 1-888-327-2014)
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning for your American Century investment accounts starts with understanding how each one transfers at death. Beneficiary designations and trust retitling both bypass probate, but the right approach depends on the account type, your tax situation, and how much control you want over distributions.
American Century has 12 product types, and the estate transfer rules differ across them. Some support Transfer on Death (TOD) designations, some can be retitled into a trust, and others will require probate if nothing is set up. Each is covered below.
Individual Investment AccountJoint Investment AccountPersonal Trust AccountCoverdell Education Savings Account (CESA)Brokerage Account
1
Log in at americancentury.com and open the beneficiary tool at https://www.americancentury.com/invest/solutions/legacy-planning-inheritance/ (select the account type: IRA, Transfer on Death, workplace plan, or brokerage)
2
Select whether the designation applies to all retirement accounts or only to specific account types -- a new designation revokes all prior designations for the account types you select
3
Enter each beneficiary:
- Name, Social Security or Tax ID number, date of birth, relationship, and percentage
- For a trust beneficiary: enter the trust name and trust date, then send the trust title page, signature page, and trustee/successor trustee pages
4
Review and submit. Per stirpes cannot be done online -- call for that form
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- TOD is accepted only on individual, joint tenants with rights of survivorship, and tenants by the entireties registrations -- never on an IRA or other retirement plan
- The investor estate may not be named as sole primary TOD beneficiary (TOD Rules, Unacceptable TOD Direction)
- A TOD direction must be made in writing on the American Century agreement, signed and delivered before the death of the investor or the last surviving joint owner
- Spousal consent may be required where the investor is married, lives in a community property state, and has not named the spouse as sole primary beneficiary; American Century states it is the investor responsibility to determine whether consent is required and is not liable for consequences of failing to obtain it
- 403(b) plans subject to the ERISA QPSA rules require notarized spousal consent to name a non-spouse beneficiary regardless of state
- A Medallion Signature Guarantee (or other signature authentication) may be required on the TOD Agreement at American Century discretion; notarization is not accepted in place of a Medallion guarantee
- Per stirpes designations are not available through the online tool or the standard form -- call to request the per stirpes form
- Without percentages, assets split equally among the surviving beneficiaries in that class
- TOD registrations are accepted in Kansas City, Missouri and governed by Chapter 461, RSMo
Sources
Data sourced from American Century primary sources (21 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these American Century instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against American Century primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Phone1-800-345-2021
Fax1-888-327-1998
Mailing Address
American Century Investments, PO Box 419200, Kansas City, MO 64141
24-Hour Automated Information Line
Brokerage Services
Business Retirement Services (403(b), SIMPLE, SEP)
Advisory Services (Private Client Group)
Self-service online advisory accounts
International (Priority)
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Transfer Team / Legacy Planning
Phone1-800-345-2021
Estate representative line printed on the Inheritance Checklist
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Transfer Team
Phone1-800-422-3301
Fax1-877-288-5960
Mailing Address
American Century Investments, PO Box 419200, Kansas City, MO 64141-6200 (overnight: 801 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 419200, Kansas City, MO 64105-1307)
Mutual fund and IRA accounts
Brokerage accounts (fax 1-888-327-2014)
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your American Century accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
