What to do when a Berkshire Hathaway Life account holder dies
Contact Berkshire Hathaway Life — 7-step process, 8 required documents, and varies by claim complexity; standard claims typically processed within 10-15 business days of receiving all required documentation
Annuity Owner Services / BH Structures
BHG Structured Settlements, Inc., 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102-1944
Annuity Owner Services / BH Structures
BHG Structured Settlements, Inc., 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102-1944
Claims / Annuity Owner Services
BHG Structured Settlements, Inc., 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102-1944
A death claim on a Berkshire Hathaway Life policy is filed through the Claims / Annuity Owner Services (1-402-916-3100). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
The claim process can be initiated by phone at 1-402-916-3100 or by sending documentation to annuityowner@bhspecialty.com. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate available when making initial contact.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Berkshire Hathaway Life:
Filing a claim
- Obtain a certified death certificate from the county or state vital records office
- Locate the original contract or policy documents and most recent statement
- If the trust is the beneficiary: provide the Certificate of Trust, trustee identification, and trust EIN
- Claimant identification and verification
- Payment election and tax withholding preferences
- W-9 or W-4P for tax reporting purposes
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate (original or certified copy)
- Contract or policy number
- Government-issued photo ID for each beneficiary
- Completed claimant statement or claim form (provided by Berkshire Hathaway Life)
- W-9 or W-4P form for tax withholding
- Certificate of Trust and trustee identification (if trust is beneficiary)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if claim is through the estate)
- Settlement agreement (for structured settlement annuities, to confirm payment terms)
What to know at this institution
For structured settlement annuities, remaining certain payments continue to the designated beneficiary according to the payment schedule established in the settlement agreement. If no beneficiary is designated, payments may be made to the estate of the annuitant. Life-contingent payments (those based solely on the annuitant being alive) cease upon death. Providing a copy of the death certificate promptly helps expedite the process of directing payments to the proper beneficiaries.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Berkshire Hathaway Life
Berkshire Hathaway Life accepts a claimant-drafted letter of instruction. We draft it for you — addressed to Berkshire Hathaway Life's verified claims department, with the documents it requires enclosed.
Build your letter of instructionProcessing timelines at Berkshire Hathaway Life: Varies by claim complexity; standard claims typically processed within 10-15 business days of receiving all required documentation. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
Documentation required by Berkshire Hathaway Life includes Certified death certificate (original or certified copy), Contract or policy number, and Government-issued photo ID for each beneficiary, along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
When a structured settlement annuitant dies, any remaining certain payments (also called guaranteed payments) continue to the designated beneficiary according to the payment schedule in the settlement agreement. If no beneficiary is designated, payments may be made to the estate of the annuitant. Life-contingent payments (those based solely on the annuitant being alive) cease upon death. Contact BH Structures at (402) 916-3100 to report the death and initiate the transfer of payments.
Promptly notify BH Structures / Berkshire Hathaway Life by calling (402) 916-3100 or emailing annuityowner@bhspecialty.com. Have the contract or policy number ready. Provide a copy of a certified death certificate as soon as possible, as this is required before processing the change. If any remaining certain payments are scheduled, Berkshire Hathaway Life will contact the persons or entity entitled to receive them. The designated beneficiary will be asked to complete claim forms including claimant identification, payment election, and tax withholding preferences (W-9 or W-4P).
Berkshire Hathaway Life's Claims / Annuity Owner Services can be reached by phone at 1-402-916-3100, email at annuityowner@bhspecialty.com, and fax at 1-866-262-9342 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Berkshire Hathaway Life policies may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Claims / Annuity Owner Services to confirm what applies.
Sources
Data sourced from Berkshire Hathaway Life primary sources (14 pages reviewed). How we research.
Annuity Owner Services / BH Structures
BHG Structured Settlements, Inc., 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102-1944
Annuity Owner Services / BH Structures
BHG Structured Settlements, Inc., 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102-1944
Claims / Annuity Owner Services
BHG Structured Settlements, Inc., 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102-1944
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