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 Service Center)
Phone1-866-401-5272
Mailing Address
126 Business Park Drive, Building 2, Utica, NY 13502
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 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 PlanAutoRollover IRARoadways 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 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
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 Service Center)
Phone1-866-401-5272
Mailing Address
126 Business Park Drive, Building 2, Utica, NY 13502
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your BPAS accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
