How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Ascensus
Covers 15 retirement, and 2 deposit accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Participant Services
200 Dryden Road, Suite 4000, Dresher, PA 19025
Participant Services
200 Dryden Road, Suite 4000, Dresher, PA 19025
Beneficiary Claims (via Plan Sponsor or Financial Institution)
200 Dryden Road, Suite 4000, Dresher, PA 19025
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.
- Log in to your account at secure.ascensus.com
- For NQDC plans: log in at secure.newportgroup.com
- Name, relationship, date of birth, SSN, and percentage
- For trust beneficiaries: enter trust name, date, trustee name, and EIN
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
Sources
Data sourced from Ascensus primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Ascensus instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Ascensus primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Participant Services
200 Dryden Road, Suite 4000, Dresher, PA 19025
Participant Services
200 Dryden Road, Suite 4000, Dresher, PA 19025
Beneficiary Claims (via Plan Sponsor or Financial Institution)
200 Dryden Road, Suite 4000, Dresher, PA 19025
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