How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at America's CU
Beneficiaries are managed in branch or by phone. Trust paperwork is taken in branch
There are two ways to keep your America's CU accounts out of probate: adding Payable on Death designations and retitling accounts into a trust. Because America's CU is a membership-based institution, trust retitling must maintain the membership eligibility requirement. Both methods ensure your accounts transfer directly to the people you choose, without court involvement.
Across 27 product types, America's CU accounts vary in how they transfer at death. The sections below walk through Payable on Death (POD) designations, trust funding options, and which products support each method.
Beneficiary form at America's CU
IRA beneficiary designation paperwork (for IRAs).
- Each beneficiary's full legal name and identifying information
- Percentage allocations if naming multiple beneficiaries
- For IRA accounts, complete separate beneficiary designation paperwork
Required Documents
- Each beneficiary's full legal name and identifying information
- Percentage allocations (if naming multiple beneficiaries)
- Valid government-issued photo ID (in a branch)
- Account information (by phone)
- Separate beneficiary designation paperwork, completed (for an IRA)
- Valid government-issued photo ID for all trustees
- Complete trust agreement or Certificate of Trust
- Trust tax identification number (EIN) if applicable
Required Documents
- Trust agreement or Certificate of Trust
- Government-issued photo ID (for all trustees)
- Trust tax identification number (EIN) (if applicable)
- Account retitling authorization form. Provided by the credit union
- Each beneficiary's full legal name and identifying information
- Percentage allocations if naming multiple beneficiaries
- For IRA accounts, complete separate beneficiary designation paperwork
Required Documents
- Each beneficiary's full legal name and identifying information
- Percentage allocations (if naming multiple beneficiaries)
- Valid government-issued photo ID (in a branch)
- Account information (by phone)
- Separate beneficiary designation paperwork, completed (for an IRA)
What America's CU says about beneficiaries and trusts
Each section is America's CU's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
Which accounts take a beneficiary2
- Payable-on-death account
A POD (payable on death) beneficiary can be added to or updated on a deposit account.1
- IRA
IRA beneficiary designations are handled separately from deposit account POD designations, on separate paperwork.1
Who can be named1
- A trust, IRAs
A trust can be named as an IRA beneficiary.1
How many beneficiaries, and how shares are split
- All accounts
Primary and contingent beneficiaries can be named, with percentage allocations when naming more than one beneficiary.1
What a designation takes to be effective
- All accounts
Beneficiary changes may require signed documentation in a branch.1
Beneficiary forms America's CU issues1
- IRA beneficiary designation paperwork
For IRAs. Completed by the account owner. Sent by the institution on request.1
What America's CU's agreement says about beneficiaries1
- Joint accounts
Joint account holders may need to agree on beneficiary designations.1
Which accounts a trust can hold2
- Trust account
Deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market and CDs) can be retitled to a revocable living trust.1
- IRA
IRA accounts cannot be retitled to a trust.1
Trust account forms America's CU issues1
- Account retitling authorization form
Completed by with a member service representative. Provided at a branch.1
Sources1
- 1.America's Credit Union member service guidance
Sources
Data sourced from America's CU primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these America's CU instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against America's CU primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
America's CU estate support
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