Estate planning with American Equity policies centers on beneficiary designations—the single most important step for ensuring life insurance proceeds and annuity benefits reach the intended recipients without probate involvement. Unlike bank or brokerage accounts, insurance products are not retitled into trusts; instead, trusts are named as beneficiaries when estate tax planning or controlled distributions are needed.

American Equity offers 5 policies, each with its own transfer rules. The sections below cover how to set up beneficiaries, fund a trust, and which products support each approach.

American Equity IncomeShield Fixed Index AnnuityAmerican Equity AssetShield Fixed Index AnnuityAmerican Equity EstateShield Fixed Index AnnuityAmerican Equity GuaranteeShield Fixed AnnuityAmerican Equity Immediate Annuity

1Call American Equity customer service at (888) 221-1234, Monday-Friday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST

2Have your contract number and Social Security Number ready to verify identity

3Request a Change of Beneficiary Form (014036) to be mailed or emailed

4Complete and return the form by mail or fax

Required Documents

Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)

Special Requirements

Trusts can be named as beneficiaries on all annuity products
Primary and contingent beneficiaries allowed
In order for a spouse to elect the spousal continuation option, they must be the sole primary beneficiary
If no surviving primary or contingent beneficiaries, benefits are paid to the owner's estate
Faxed copies of the form are accepted; original is not required