Estate planning at American Equity
How to protect 5 American Equity accounts — manage beneficiaries online, fund a trust by mail, and file death claims
Brand change
Acquired by Brookfield Reinsurance (now Brookfield Wealth Solutions Ltd.) in a transaction that closed May 2, 2024. Contracts continue to be issued and serviced under the American Equity / AEL brand; use the American Equity Beneficiary Support channels below. Effective May 2024.
The procedures below reflect American Equity's accounts. Account servicing may transfer as the change takes effect.
Customer Service
P.O. Box 10343, Des Moines, IA 50306-0343
Customer Service
P.O. Box 10343, Des Moines, IA 50306-0343
Beneficiary Support
P.O. Box 71216, Des Moines, IA 50325-9909
American Equity offers 5 insurance products that play a central role in estate planning. Because policy proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries—bypassing probate entirely—keeping designations current is one of the highest-impact steps policyholders can take.
Managing beneficiaries at American Equity is straightforward—changes can be made online, by mail, and by phone, typically taking 15-30 minutes. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to name a trust as the policy beneficiary or establish an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT).
American Equity 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 by mail, and review 5 account types at American Equity.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
6-step process, 6 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →Frequently asked questions
Download the Change of Beneficiary Form (014036) from https://www.american-equity.com/resources/forms or call (888) 221-1234 to request it. Complete the form with your primary and contingent beneficiary information, sign it, and submit by mail to P.O. Box 10343, Des Moines, IA 50306-0343, or fax to (515) 226-3129. Faxed copies are accepted. Customer service is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST.
Non-qualified annuities may be owned by a trust. To transfer ownership, complete the Ownership Change form (014039) along with the Certification of Trust Agreement (Form 014260) and supporting trust documents. Qualified annuities (IRAs) cannot be owned by a trust, but a trust can be named as beneficiary.
If you are married and reside in a community property state, your spouse must co-sign the Change of Beneficiary Form (014036). Additionally, if your spouse is to elect the spousal continuation option, they must be named as the sole primary beneficiary.
IncomeShield is designed primarily for guaranteed lifetime income with index-linked crediting and tax-deferred growth, and includes Lifetime Income Benefit Rider (LIBR) options for owners age 40+. AssetShield is designed for index-linked growth potential with protection from market downturns; AssetShield BONUS versions add a 14% first-year premium bonus that vests 10% annually over 10 years (the optional Enhanced Bonus & Liquidity Rider increases this to 21% for an additional fee). Both are fixed index annuities, but IncomeShield emphasizes income generation while AssetShield emphasizes asset accumulation.
Sources
Data sourced from American Equity primary sources (17 pages reviewed). How we research.
Customer Service
P.O. Box 10343, Des Moines, IA 50306-0343
Customer Service
P.O. Box 10343, Des Moines, IA 50306-0343
Beneficiary Support
P.O. Box 71216, Des Moines, IA 50325-9909
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your American Equity accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
