How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at American Equity
Covers 5 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
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
Beneficiary designations are the foundation of estate planning for American Equity policies. Unlike bank accounts, insurance products cannot be retitled into a trust. Instead, the beneficiary designation itself determines who receives the proceeds and how quickly they're paid. Naming a trust as beneficiary is an option when more control over distributions is needed.
The transfer rules at American Equity vary across 5 policies. Below is a breakdown of beneficiary options, trust funding, and which products support each method.
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
Sources
Data sourced from American Equity primary sources (17 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these American Equity instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against American Equity primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
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
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