How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Ameritas
Covers 22 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Life Insurance, Annuity & Disability Income Service
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., PO Box 81889, Lincoln, NE 68501
Life Insurance, Annuity & Disability Income Service
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., PO Box 81889, Lincoln, NE 68501
Life Insurance and Annuity Claims
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., PO Box 81889, Lincoln, NE 68501
Beneficiary designations are the foundation of estate planning for Ameritas 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.
Across 22 product types, Ameritas policies vary in how they transfer at death. The sections below walk through beneficiary designations, trust funding options, and which products support each method.
- Primary and contingent beneficiary full legal names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and relationships
- Percentage allocations totaling 100% for each class of beneficiary
- For trusts: select trust as the beneficiary type and provide the full trust name, date established, and EIN
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Trusts can be named as beneficiaries on life insurance and annuity products
- Primary and contingent beneficiary percentage allocations must each total 100%
- A form is required to complete a beneficiary change for security purposes
- Beneficiary designations override instructions in a will
- Spousal consent may be required in community property states
Sources
Data sourced from Ameritas primary sources (27 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Ameritas instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Ameritas primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Life Insurance, Annuity & Disability Income Service
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., PO Box 81889, Lincoln, NE 68501
Life Insurance, Annuity & Disability Income Service
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., PO Box 81889, Lincoln, NE 68501
Life Insurance and Annuity Claims
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., PO Box 81889, Lincoln, NE 68501
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