Estate planning at Brighthouse

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.

The Brighthouse Shield Level II Annuity is a single-premium index-linked annuity, meaning you make one lump-sum payment at purchase. The Shield Level Pay Plus II Annuity is a flexible-premium version that allows ongoing contributions over time. Both offer downside protection through Shield Rates (10%, 15%, or 25%) and participation in index-linked growth, but the Pay Plus version provides the flexibility to add money to the contract after the initial purchase.

No. Brighthouse Guaranteed Income Builder annuity contracts are no longer available for new purchase. 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.

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 a substitute for a Medallion Signature Guarantee. You can obtain one at most banks, credit unions, and brokerage firms where you hold an account.