Estate planning at Brighthouse
How to protect 10 Brighthouse accounts — manage beneficiaries online, fund a trust by mail, and file death claims
Customer Service Center
Brighthouse Financial, P.O. Box 4301, Clinton, IA 52733-4301 (variable contracts); P.O. Box 4363, Clinton, IA 52733-4363 (non-variable contracts)
Customer Service Center
Brighthouse Financial, P.O. Box 4301, Clinton, IA 52733-4301 (variable contracts); P.O. Box 4363, Clinton, IA 52733-4363 (non-variable contracts)
Claims Department
Brighthouse Financial, P.O. Box 4364, Clinton, IA 52733-4364; Overnight: 1315 19th Ave NW, Clinton, IA 52732-2752
Brighthouse offers 10 insurance products that play a central role in estate planning. Because policy proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries—bypassing probate entirely—keeping designations current is one of the highest-impact steps policyholders can take.
Brighthouse lets account holders update beneficiary designations online, by mail, and by phone, typically taking 15-30 minutes to complete form; 5-10 business days processing. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to name a trust as the policy beneficiary or establish an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT).
Brighthouse provides specific procedures for both proactive estate planning and filing claims after a death.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to manage beneficiaries online, fund a trust by mail, and review 10 account types at Brighthouse.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
7-step process, 7 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →Frequently asked questions
Non-qualified annuity contracts can generally be retitled to a revocable living trust. You will need to complete the Change of Ownership form and the Trust Certification form (with Medallion Signature Guarantee). Qualified annuities (such as IRAs) cannot be owned by a trust, but the trust can be named as beneficiary. Contact (800) 882-1292 or your financial professional for guidance on your specific contract.
To assign a life insurance policy to an ILIT, request the Change of Ownership/Absolute Assignment form from forms.brighthousefinancial.com or by calling (800) 882-1292. Complete the form along with the Trust Certification form (Medallion Signature Guarantee required) and mail it to the appropriate address. The three-year lookback rule applies for estate tax purposes on transferred policies.
A Medallion Signature Guarantee is a special certification by a financial institution (bank, credit union, or brokerage firm) that verifies your identity and authorizes a financial transaction. Brighthouse requires a Medallion Signature Guarantee on Trust Certification forms and in certain other situations such as ownership changes and recent address changes with transactions over $10,000. A notary seal is not accepted as a substitute. You can obtain one at most banks, credit unions, and brokerage firms where you hold an account.
No. Brighthouse Guaranteed Income Builder annuity contracts are no longer available for new purchase, along with the SecureAdvantage 6-Year Fixed Index Annuity. Existing contract holders can continue to service their contracts by contacting their financial professional or calling the Brighthouse Customer Service Center at (800) 882-1292.
Sources
Data sourced from Brighthouse primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Customer Service Center
Brighthouse Financial, P.O. Box 4301, Clinton, IA 52733-4301 (variable contracts); P.O. Box 4363, Clinton, IA 52733-4363 (non-variable contracts)
Customer Service Center
Brighthouse Financial, P.O. Box 4301, Clinton, IA 52733-4301 (variable contracts); P.O. Box 4363, Clinton, IA 52733-4363 (non-variable contracts)
Claims Department
Brighthouse Financial, P.O. Box 4364, Clinton, IA 52733-4364; Overnight: 1315 19th Ave NW, Clinton, IA 52732-2752
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Brighthouse accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
