How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at BlackRock
Covers 7 investment, and 10 retirement accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Mutual Fund Services
BlackRock Funds, P.O. Box 534429, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4429
Mutual Fund Services (Estate & Death Claims)
BlackRock Funds, P.O. Box 534429, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4429
Mutual Fund Services
BlackRock Funds, P.O. Box 534429, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4429
Estate planning for your BlackRock investment accounts starts with understanding how each one transfers at death. Beneficiary designations and trust retitling both bypass probate, but the right approach depends on the account type, your tax situation, and how much control you want over distributions.
With 17 product types, BlackRock offers a range of transfer options. Some investment accounts support Transfer on Death (TOD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
- Add or update primary and contingent beneficiaries
- For IRA accounts: ensure primary beneficiary is designated before adding contingent
- If designating a trust: have the trust name, trustee name(s), and trust date ready
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- TOD registration on non-retirement accounts is subject to state law; not all states permit TOD designations
- IRAs cannot be retitled to a trust, but a trust can be named as beneficiary
- If naming a trust as beneficiary, provide trust name, trustee name(s), and trust date; attach relevant trust pages
- Married investors in community property states may need spousal consent to name a non-spouse IRA beneficiary
- Primary beneficiaries must be designated before contingent beneficiaries can be added
- For 529 plans: beneficiary changes must be to a qualifying family member; use the 529 Change of Registration Form
Sources
Data sourced from BlackRock primary sources (21 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these BlackRock instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against BlackRock primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Mutual Fund Services
BlackRock Funds, P.O. Box 534429, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4429
Mutual Fund Services (Estate & Death Claims)
BlackRock Funds, P.O. Box 534429, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4429
Mutual Fund Services
BlackRock Funds, P.O. Box 534429, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4429
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