Estate planning at American Equity
How to protect 5 American Equity accounts — manage beneficiaries by phone, fund a trust by mail, and file death claims
Customer Service
Phone1-888-221-1234
Fax1-515-226-3129
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 10343, Des Moines, IA 50306-0343
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Service
Phone1-888-221-1234
Fax1-515-226-3129
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 10343, Des Moines, IA 50306-0343
WebsiteLearn more→
Beneficiary Support
Phone1-877-542-8847
Fax1-515-457-1837
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 71216, Des Moines, IA 50325-9909
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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 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 update beneficiaries by phone, 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 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. It includes a Lifetime Income Benefit Rider (LIBR) with Wellbeing Benefit for owners age 40+. AssetShield is designed for index-linked growth potential with protection from market downturns, featuring a guaranteed premium bonus of up to 14% on first-year premiums. Both are fixed index annuities, but IncomeShield emphasizes income generation while AssetShield emphasizes asset accumulation.
Sources
Data sourced from American Equity primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
Customer Service
Phone1-888-221-1234
Fax1-515-226-3129
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 10343, Des Moines, IA 50306-0343
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Service
Phone1-888-221-1234
Fax1-515-226-3129
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 10343, Des Moines, IA 50306-0343
WebsiteLearn more→
Beneficiary Support
Phone1-877-542-8847
Fax1-515-457-1837
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 71216, Des Moines, IA 50325-9909
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your American Equity accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
