How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at BPAS
Covers 17 retirement accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Participant Service Center
Phone1-866-401-5272
Mailing Address
126 Business Park Drive, Building 2, Utica, NY 13502
Callback requests (Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM ET)
WebsiteLearn more→
Participant Service Center
Phone1-866-401-5272
Mailing Address
126 Business Park Drive, Building 2, Utica, NY 13502
Callback requests (Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM ET)
WebsiteLearn more→
Beneficiary Claims (via Plan Sponsor or Participant Service Center)
Phone1-866-401-5272
Mailing Address
126 Business Park Drive, Building 2, Utica, NY 13502
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Beneficiary designations on BPAS retirement retirement accounts carry more weight than most people realize. They override a will, control who receives the balance, and determine the tax treatment of inherited distributions. Reviewing these designations after any major life change is essential.
With 17 product types, BPAS offers a range of transfer options. Some retirement accounts support beneficiary designations on tax-advantaged accounts, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
401(k) Plan403(b) Plan457(b) Plan457(f) PlanProfit Sharing PlanMoney Purchase PlanESOP / KSOPMultiple Employer Plan (MEP)Pooled Employer Plan (PEP)Taft-Hartley PlanDavis Bacon PlanNon-Qualified Deferred Compensation PlanPuerto Rico 1081 PlanDefined Benefit Pension PlanCash Balance PlanBPAS AutoRolloversRoadways Express IRA
1
Log in to the BPAS participant portal at https://e2.bpas.com or https://u.bpas.com
2
Navigate to the beneficiary designation section of your account
3
Add or update primary and contingent beneficiaries
4
Enter beneficiary details:
- Name, relationship, date of birth, Social Security Number, and percentage allocation
- For trust beneficiaries: enter trust name, date established, trustee name, and EIN
5
Review and confirm your designations
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Trusts can be named as beneficiaries when IRS see-through trust 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 in writing
- Beneficiary designations override wills and other estate planning documents
- Process and available channels vary by plan type and plan sponsor configuration
Sources
Data sourced from BPAS primary sources (13 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these BPAS instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against BPAS primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Participant Service Center
Phone1-866-401-5272
Mailing Address
126 Business Park Drive, Building 2, Utica, NY 13502
Callback requests (Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM ET)
WebsiteLearn more→
Participant Service Center
Phone1-866-401-5272
Mailing Address
126 Business Park Drive, Building 2, Utica, NY 13502
Callback requests (Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM ET)
WebsiteLearn more→
Beneficiary Claims (via Plan Sponsor or Participant Service Center)
Phone1-866-401-5272
Mailing Address
126 Business Park Drive, Building 2, Utica, NY 13502
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your BPAS accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
