What to do when a Brighthouse account holder dies

Required Documents

• Claim form for the productEach beneficiary submits a separate claim form. Faxed and emailed annuity claim forms are acceptable.
• Death certificate, for an annuity claimA copy or the original, one per decedent. An original certified death certificate must be mailed in if the total death benefit across all contracts is over $500,000, or if the death occurred outside the United States.
• Death certificate, for a life insurance claimA certified death certificate, which has a raised or colored seal, is required for a claim over $250,000. Brighthouse needs only one; a claimant who knows another claimant is sending one need not send it.
• Identity certification, on an annuity claim where the total death benefit for the deceased person is over $300,000One of three: a photocopy of government-issued photo ID showing the address of record on the form, a Medallion Signature Guarantee, or a notarized signature.
• Court-certified executor's appointment or letters testamentary, if an estate is the annuity beneficiaryA new tax ID number should be obtained for the estate; the deceased person's Social Security number cannot be used.
• New tax ID number for the trust, if the trust's tax ID number is the deceased person's Social Security number
• Trustee Certification for Death Claim Benefits (DTH-CLM-TRUST-B), if a trust is the annuity beneficiaryEvery trustee with the power to buy, sell, manage or transfer annuity contracts for the trust completes and signs it with their title.
• Trust Look-Through Treatment Certification (DTH-LOOK-B), with the trustee certificationThe trustee certification asks for it whether or not the trust wants look-through treatment.
• Generation Skipping Transfer Questionnaire, if a trust is the annuity beneficiary and the questionnaire is in the claim kitIt may still be required later if it was not in the kit. Schedule R-1 of Form 706 or a waiver affidavit may also be required, depending on the answers.
• Letters of guardianship or conservatorship, and the Certification of Guardian/Conservator, if the annuity beneficiary is a minor or has a conservatorBrighthouse says it will advise in writing if court-certified letters and its Certification of Guardian/Conservator form are required.
• Power of attorney and the Certification of Attorney-in-Fact, if the annuity claim form is signed under a power of attorneyA complete, current copy of the power of attorney document, with Brighthouse's Certification of Attorney-in-Fact.
• Corporate resolution and statement of authenticity, if a corporation or charity is the annuity beneficiaryA copy of the corporate resolution, with the corporate seal affixed, naming the authorized signers, and the corporate secretary's statement of authenticity.
• Proof of date of birth, when electing a life annuity payment optionA copy of a driver's license, birth certificate, or passport.
• Annuity Claim Affidavit (ANN-CLAIM-AFFIDAVIT-B), to help Brighthouse determine who the annuity payees areLists the deceased person's children and is signed before a notary. After reviewing it, Brighthouse sends a claim form to the appropriate party.