What to do when a BlackRock account holder dies
Report the death to BlackRock's Mutual Fund Services at 1-800-441-7762
When an account holder at BlackRock passes away, the next step depends on how the investment accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with BlackRock's Mutual Fund Services (1-800-441-7762) to access and distribute the funds.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with BlackRock:
Filing a claim
- TOD account: the Transfer on Death (TOD) Beneficiary Claim Form. Each named beneficiary files their own form and may claim only their own portion.
- IRA with a spouse beneficiary: the IRA Beneficiary Claim Form - Spouse.
- IRA with a non-spouse beneficiary: the IRA Beneficiary Claim Form - Non-Spouse.
- Non-retirement account with no TOD beneficiary or surviving joint owner: the Change of Registration Form, signed by the executor or administrator, with the date of death entered.
- Joint account where one owner died: a Change of Registration Form to update the registration, and a new TOD Registration Form if TOD beneficiaries are to continue.
- CollegeAdvantage 529: the 529 Change of Registration Form, electing "Transfer of ownership due to the death of the Account Owner".
- Regular mail: BlackRock Funds, P.O. Box 534429, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4429.
- Overnight: BlackRock Funds, Attention: 534429, 1350 Penn Avenue Suite 102, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
- Fax: 844-569-5573, but not where a Medallion Signature Guarantee or notary is required.
- CollegeAdvantage 529: BlackRock 529, P.O. Box 534433, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4433; overnight Attention 534433, 1350 Penn Avenue Suite 102, Pittsburgh, PA 15222; fax 833-778-3739.
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate, for each deceased shareholderBlackRock waives it only if you supply a document naming the estate's executor or administrator and your signature is medallion guaranteed.
- Document naming the executor or administrator, there is no TOD beneficiary and no surviving joint ownerLetters testamentary, letters of administration, or a state small-estate affidavit.
- Identification information for each claimantFull name, address, date of birth, and Social Security or tax ID number.
- Affidavit of Domicile and/or Inheritance Tax Waiver form, on a non-retirement account, the decedent was domiciled in Iowa, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania or Puerto Rico
- Affidavit of Domicile and/or Inheritance Tax Waiver form, on an IRA claim, the decedent was domiciled in Pennsylvania or Puerto Rico
- Year-of-death required distribution certification, a Traditional, SEP or SIMPLE IRA where the owner died on or after the required beginning dateSigned on the claim form, certifying the distribution came from another IRA. Without it, BlackRock pays it to the beneficiaries before opening the inherited IRA.
- Trust pages, or the document naming an entity's authorized signers, a trust or an entity is the beneficiaryFor a trust, copies of the pertinent pages showing the trust name, date, trustees' names, and the signature and certification pages.
- Recently dated copy of the power of attorney, with the Power of Attorney Registration Form, someone signs under a power of attorney
- Notarized signature of the named beneficiary, on the TOD Beneficiary Claim Form
- Medallion Signature Guarantee, someone else signs for a TOD beneficiary; a redemption over $100,000; payment to a third party or new bank; a 529 ownership change on deathBlackRock "may not accept a digital form" for the redemption and payment cases, and a 529 ownership change on death cannot be sent as a digital form.
- Bank account details, proceeds are to be sent by direct depositA voided check, bank statement, or savings deposit slip.
- New Account Application or Inherited IRA Application, the claim opens a new BlackRock account, or a beneficiary is establishing an inherited IRA
Forms BlackRock issues9
- Transfer on Death (TOD) Beneficiary Claim Form
Completed by each named TOD beneficiary, for their own portion. Available to download. Must be notarized.1
- IRA Beneficiary Claim Form - Spouse
Completed by a spouse beneficiary. Available to download.2
- IRA Beneficiary Claim Form - Non-Spouse
Completed by a non-spouse beneficiary. Available to download.3
- Change of Registration Form
Completed by the executor or administrator, or the surviving joint owner. Available to download.4
- Transfer on Death (TOD) Registration Form
Completed by the surviving joint owner, if TOD beneficiaries are to continue. Available to download.5
- 529 Change of Registration Form
Available to download.6
- Inherited IRA Application
Completed by a beneficiary establishing an inherited IRA. Available to download.7
- New Account Application
Completed by a claimant opening a new BlackRock account to receive the proceeds. Available to download.8
- Power of Attorney Registration Form
Completed by a person signing under a power of attorney. Available to download.8
What happens to each kind of account5
- Investment account
BlackRock acts only on accounts held directly with it: direct mutual fund, IRA, 403(b), Coverdell ESA and 529 accounts. iShares ETFs, iShares LifePath ETFs and closed-end funds held at a brokerage are claimed through that brokerage.8
- Payable-on-death account
On a transfer-on-death account, each named beneficiary files a separate claim form for their own share. BlackRock will not take one filing on behalf of all of them.8
- Joint account with survivorship
When one joint owner dies, the survivor owns the account. BlackRock asks for a Change of Registration Form to update the registration, and a new TOD Registration Form if TOD beneficiaries are to continue.8
- Account in one name
A non-retirement account with no TOD beneficiary or surviving joint owner is retitled on the Change of Registration Form, signed by the executor or administrator "indicating their capacity," with the date of death entered.4
Accounts handled elsewhere1
What BlackRock's agreement and guidance say2
- How proceeds are paid
On approval, the claimant's portion is transferred into a new or existing BlackRock account in the claimant's name, or redeemed and paid out as the form instructs.8
- Who can get account information
A named TOD beneficiary "cannot act on behalf of the account until the sole or surviving account owner is deceased," and cannot receive information about it before then.8
Sources9
- 1.Transfer on Death (TOD) Beneficiary Claim Form
- 2.IRA Beneficiary Claim Form - Spouse
- 3.IRA Beneficiary Claim Form - Non-Spouse
- 4.Change of Registration Form
- 5.Transfer on Death (TOD) Registration Form
- 6.529 Change of Registration Form
- 7.Inherited IRA Application
- 8.Forms & Applications
- 9.Statement of Additional Information
BlackRock's Mutual Fund Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-441-7762 and fax at 1-844-569-5573 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from BlackRock primary sources (25 pages reviewed). How we research.
BlackRock death claims support
Mutual Fund Services
Phone
CollegeAdvantage 529 Plan
NextGen 529 Select Series
NextGen 529 Direct Series
Closed-End Funds
iShares ETF Information
iShares 529
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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