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
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 Jul 2026
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.
American Equity IncomeShield Fixed Index AnnuityAmerican Equity AssetShield Fixed Index AnnuityAmerican Equity EstateShield Fixed Index AnnuityAmerican Equity GuaranteeShield Fixed AnnuityAmerican Equity Immediate Annuity
1
Log in to MyPortal at https://myportal.american-equity.com/ (registration required for existing contract owners)
2
Locate your contract and navigate to the beneficiary management section
3
For changes that MyPortal does not support online, download the Change of Beneficiary Form (014036) from https://www.american-equity.com/resources/forms and submit 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
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
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 Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your American Equity accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
