How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Ascensus
Covers 15 retirement, and 2 deposit accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Participant Services
Phone1-800-346-3860
Mailing Address
200 Dryden Road, Suite 4000, Dresher, PA 19025
401(k) / 403(b) / Qualified Plan Participants
NQDC Participants (Newport, an Ascensus company)
SEP / SIMPLE IRA
SEP / SIMPLE IRA (alt)
Individual(k)
Individual(k) (alt)
529 Accounts
Vanguard 403(b) Services
Plan Sponsors / Employers
CoPilot
WebsiteLearn more→
Participant Services
Phone1-800-346-3860
Mailing Address
200 Dryden Road, Suite 4000, Dresher, PA 19025
401(k) / 403(b) / Qualified Plan Participants
NQDC Participants (Newport, an Ascensus company)
SEP / SIMPLE IRA
SEP / SIMPLE IRA (alt)
Individual(k)
Individual(k) (alt)
529 Accounts
Vanguard 403(b) Services
Plan Sponsors / Employers
CoPilot
WebsiteLearn more→
Beneficiary Claims (via Plan Sponsor or Financial Institution)
Phone1-888-652-8086
Mailing Address
200 Dryden Road, Suite 4000, Dresher, PA 19025
NQDC Claims (Newport, an Ascensus company)
SEP / SIMPLE IRA Claims
General IRA Inquiries
Vanguard 403(b) Claims
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning for Ascensus retirement retirement accounts revolves around beneficiary designations. These designations—not a will—control who receives the account balance at death. For IRAs and employer-sponsored plans, the beneficiary designation also determines the tax treatment of inherited distributions, making it a decision with both legal and financial implications.
Ascensus has 17 product types, and the estate transfer rules differ across them. Some support beneficiary designations on tax-advantaged accounts, some can be retitled into a trust, and others will require probate if nothing is set up. Each is covered below.
529 Education Savings PlanABLE Savings Account
1
Log in to the appropriate portal:
- Log in to your account at secure.ascensus.com
- For NQDC plans: log in at secure.newportgroup.com
2
Navigate to your account settings or beneficiary section
3
Add or update primary and contingent beneficiaries
4
Enter beneficiary details:
- Name, relationship, date of birth, SSN, and percentage
- For trust beneficiaries: enter trust name, date, trustee name, and EIN
5
Review and confirm your designations
Special Requirements
- Trusts can be named as beneficiaries when IRS requirements are met
- Spousal consent may be required for ERISA-covered qualified plans (401(k), defined benefit)
- Under ERISA, spouse is entitled to at least 50% of death benefits unless waived
- QRP plans subject to the Retirement Equity Act (REA) require spousal consent via Form 482-R
- Beneficiary designations override wills and other estate planning documents
- Process varies by plan type and plan sponsor
- Some plans may restrict online beneficiary changes; paper form required
Participant Services
Phone1-800-346-3860
Mailing Address
200 Dryden Road, Suite 4000, Dresher, PA 19025
401(k) / 403(b) / Qualified Plan Participants
NQDC Participants (Newport, an Ascensus company)
SEP / SIMPLE IRA
SEP / SIMPLE IRA (alt)
Individual(k)
Individual(k) (alt)
529 Accounts
Vanguard 403(b) Services
Plan Sponsors / Employers
CoPilot
WebsiteLearn more→
Participant Services
Phone1-800-346-3860
Mailing Address
200 Dryden Road, Suite 4000, Dresher, PA 19025
401(k) / 403(b) / Qualified Plan Participants
NQDC Participants (Newport, an Ascensus company)
SEP / SIMPLE IRA
SEP / SIMPLE IRA (alt)
Individual(k)
Individual(k) (alt)
529 Accounts
Vanguard 403(b) Services
Plan Sponsors / Employers
CoPilot
WebsiteLearn more→
Beneficiary Claims (via Plan Sponsor or Financial Institution)
Phone1-888-652-8086
Mailing Address
200 Dryden Road, Suite 4000, Dresher, PA 19025
NQDC Claims (Newport, an Ascensus company)
SEP / SIMPLE IRA Claims
General IRA Inquiries
Vanguard 403(b) Claims
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Ascensus accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
