How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Brighthouse
Beneficiaries are managed online, by phone or by mail. Trust paperwork is taken by mail
For Brighthouse policyholders, estate planning comes down to one critical step: making sure the right beneficiaries are named on every policy. Insurance proceeds bypass probate entirely and go directly to whoever is listed—regardless of what a will says. When estate tax planning or controlled distributions are a factor, a trust can be named as beneficiary instead.
Across 10 product types, Brighthouse policies vary in how they transfer at death. The sections below walk through beneficiary designations, trust funding options, and which products support each method.
Beneficiary form at Brighthouse
Beneficiary Change (ANN-BENE-B), fixed contracts (for annuitys), Beneficiary Change (ANN-BENE-B), variable contracts (for annuitys), Life Insurance Change of Beneficiary (BENECHANGE-B), Brighthouse Life Insurance Company and of NY (for life insurance policys), Life Insurance Change of Beneficiary (BENECHANGE-B), New England Life Insurance Company (for life insurance policys), Life Insurance Change of Beneficiary, short form (BENECHANGE-SHORT-B) (for life insurance policys), Irrevocable beneficiary change (IRREVBENECHG-B) (for annuitys), Irrevocable beneficiary change (10001235) (for life insurance policys) and 403(b) or 457(b) Change of Beneficiary/Spousal Consent form (for employer retirement plans).
Open the form →- Annuities: (800) 882-1292; group annuity products: (833) 208-3018
- Life insurance policy numbers ending in BI, BLT, BLV, BLW, BNW, NI, USU, USV, UT, FMU, MT, MLU: (800) 882-1292
- Life insurance policy numbers ending in US and FM, and former New England Financial policies beginning with 55, 27, 28, 38, 2U, 0Y, 0Z: (833) 208-3017
- Other legacy blocks have their own numbers (Met/Tower and GenAm, former Travelers, former NEF 1Y / 3Y / 3U-4U-5U-1Z, Promise Whole Life ending in UT); see the contacts list
- Annuities: "Beneficiary Change" (form ANN-BENE-B). Not for custodian-owned contracts, irrevocable beneficiary changes, controlled payout beneficiary requests, or ERISA contracts
- Life insurance: "Life Insurance Change of Beneficiary" (form BENECHANGE-B), or the short form (BENECHANGE-SHORT-B)
- Tax-qualified group contracts: the 403(b) or 457(b) Change of Beneficiary/Spousal Consent form
- An irrevocable designation uses its own form (IRREVBENECHG-B for annuities, 10001235 for life)
- Brighthouse life forms expressly contemplate both a Living (Inter Vivos) Trust and a Testamentary Trust (one created and funded by the insured's will) as beneficiary
- If you sign for a person or entity, Brighthouse requires proof of authority (trust paperwork, corporate resolution, or power of attorney documents) if not already on file
- Add your title (Trustee, Attorney-in-Fact, Conservator) beside your signature
- Annuity beneficiary change, fixed contracts: Brighthouse Financial, PO Box 4262, Clinton, IA 52733-4262
- Annuity beneficiary change, variable contracts: Brighthouse Financial, PO Box 4261, Clinton, IA 52733-4261
- Annuity beneficiary change by fax: (877) 246-8424; by email: bhfrequests@brighthousefinancial.com
- Life insurance change of beneficiary (send the first eight pages): Brighthouse Financial, P.O. Box 14239, Lexington, KY 40512
- Life insurance by fax: (877) 246-8424 is not the life route. Use 1-401-827-2771 for Brighthouse Life Insurance Company and Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY
- Life insurance by fax for New England Life Insurance Company: 1-401-827-3156
Required Documents
- Each beneficiary's name, date of birth, Social Security number or TIN, and relationship (for every primary and contingent beneficiary)
- Trust's name, tax ID and date of execution (when naming a trust)
- Proof of authority: trust paperwork, corporate resolution or power of attorney documents (when signing for a person or entity, if not already on file)
- Product type and contract or policy number. From the most recent statement. It determines both the form and where the form goes
- Owner/Annuitant Change (form OWN-CHG-DXC), the instrument that moves ownership
- Trustee/Entity Certification for Existing Annuity Contracts (form ANNTRUST-POST-B)
- Brighthouse states "Submit this form along with the Owner/Annuitant Change form to change the owner of an annuity contract to a Trust"
- Use the Life Insurance Absolute Assignment / Change of Owner form (LA-ABSOLUTEASGN-B) and complete Type C: Assignment to a Living (Inter Vivos) Trust
- Type C expressly requires a completed Trust Certification form as well (ETRUSTCERT-05-B, with separate NY and PR versions)
- Do not use the annuity forms here and do not use the life form for annuities: the absolute assignment form states "Do not use this form for Annuities"
- Trust name, date of trust, and the state where the trust was created
- Permanent address of the trust and the trust's own Tax ID number
- The grantor's name, and the names of all currently serving trustees
- Every trustee (or entity representative) with the power to buy, sell, manage, or transfer the contract must sign, with their title
- Annuity ownership change, fixed contracts: Brighthouse Financial, PO Box 4363, Clinton, IA 52733-4363
- Annuity ownership change, variable / index-linked / fixed index contracts: Brighthouse Financial, PO Box 4301, Clinton, IA 52733-4301
- Annuity ownership change by fax: (877) 246-8424; by email: bhfrequests@brighthousefinancial.com; Customer Service Center (800) 882-1292
- Life absolute assignment (return pages 1 through 4): Brighthouse Financial, P.O. Box 14239, Lexington, KY 40512
- Life absolute assignment by fax: 1-401-827-2771 for Brighthouse Life Insurance Company / of NY, or 1-401-827-3156 for New England Life Insurance Company
- If policies were issued by more than one company, return one completed form to any company that issued at least one of them
Required Documents
- Owner/Annuitant Change form (OWN-CHG-DXC) (for an annuity)
- Life Insurance Absolute Assignment form (LA-ABSOLUTEASGN-B), Type C (for a life policy)
- Trustee/Entity Certification for Existing Annuity Contracts (ANNTRUST-POST-B) (for an annuity). Brighthouse's own certification form is the document it relies on
- Trust Certification (ETRUSTCERT-05-B) (for a life policy). NY and PR have their own versions. Brighthouse's own certification form is the document it relies on
- Trust name, date of trust and state where the trust was created
- Permanent address of the trust
- The trust's own tax ID number (EIN)
- Grantor's name and the names of all currently serving trustees. Each trustee signs with their title
- Annuitant's signature (on the annuity trustee certification)
- Proof of authority, such as trust paperwork evidencing a signer's authority (for anyone signing on behalf of an entity, if not already on file)
- Full trust document. Brighthouse states it does not base its reliance on a review of the trust document even when one is supplied
- Additional information (if Brighthouse requests it). Incomplete forms delay processing
What Brighthouse says about beneficiaries and trusts
Each section is Brighthouse's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
Which accounts take a beneficiary3
- Annuity
The annuity Beneficiary Change form (ANN-BENE-B) is not used for custodian-owned contracts, irrevocable designations, controlled payout requests or ERISA contracts; those have their own forms.1
- Life insurance policy
If the insured dies with no surviving beneficiary, Brighthouse pays the owner if living, and otherwise the owner's estate.2
- Employer retirement plan
Tax-qualified group contracts use the 403(b) or 457(b) Change of Beneficiary/Spousal Consent form.2
Who can be named2
- A trust
A trust can be named as primary or contingent beneficiary.2
- A trust created by a will, life insurance policys
Brighthouse life insurance forms recognize both a living (inter vivos) trust and a testamentary trust, one created and funded by the insured's will, as beneficiary.3
- A trust, IRAs
A qualified contract (an IRA) can name a trust as beneficiary. A trust beneficiary on a qualified annuity also brings the Trust Look-Through Treatment Certification into play at claim time.2
What a designation takes to be effective
- All accounts
Only the contract or policy owner may change beneficiaries, and where there is more than one owner, all owners must sign. Signing in a fiduciary capacity requires proof of authority on file (trust paperwork, corporate resolution or power of attorney) and your title beside the signature.2
Brighthouse does not process a beneficiary change through the website alone. The signed form is what effects it.4
Spousal consent may apply in community property states.2
- Employer retirement plan
On 403(b) and 457(b) contracts, spousal consent applies through the dedicated Change of Beneficiary/Spousal Consent forms.2
Beneficiary forms Brighthouse issues8
- Beneficiary Change (ANN-BENE-B), fixed contracts
For annuitys. Completed by the owner; all owners sign. Available to download.1
Return to
Email: bhfrequests@brighthousefinancial.com
Fax: 1-877-246-8424
Mailing address: Brighthouse Financial, PO Box 4262, Clinton, IA 52733-4262
- Beneficiary Change (ANN-BENE-B), variable contracts
For annuitys. Completed by the owner; all owners sign. Available to download.1
Return to
Email: bhfrequests@brighthousefinancial.com
Fax: 1-877-246-8424
Mailing address: Brighthouse Financial, PO Box 4261, Clinton, IA 52733-4261
- Life Insurance Change of Beneficiary (BENECHANGE-B), Brighthouse Life Insurance Company and of NY
For life insurance policys. Completed by the owner; all owners sign. Available to download.3
Return to
Fax: 1-401-827-2771
Mailing address: Brighthouse Financial, P.O. Box 14239, Lexington, KY 40512
- Life Insurance Change of Beneficiary (BENECHANGE-B), New England Life Insurance Company
For life insurance policys. Completed by the owner; all owners sign. Available to download.3
Return to
Fax: 1-401-827-3156
Mailing address: Brighthouse Financial, P.O. Box 14239, Lexington, KY 40512
- Life Insurance Change of Beneficiary, short form (BENECHANGE-SHORT-B)
For life insurance policys. Sent by the institution on request.2
- Irrevocable beneficiary change (IRREVBENECHG-B)
For annuitys. Sent by the institution on request.2
- Irrevocable beneficiary change (10001235)
For life insurance policys. Sent by the institution on request.2
- 403(b) or 457(b) Change of Beneficiary/Spousal Consent form
For employer retirement plans. Sent by the institution on request.2
What Brighthouse's agreement says about beneficiaries1
- Changing or revoking a designation
Brighthouse states that "any request for a change of beneficiary revokes ALL previous beneficiary designations, both contingent and primary," so the form restates the complete designation.2
Which accounts a trust can hold2
- Annuity
To make a trust the owner of an annuity, the Trustee/Entity Certification is submitted with the Owner/Annuitant Change form. Brighthouse states "Submit this form along with the Owner/Annuitant Change form to change the owner of an annuity contract to a Trust."5
Brighthouse accepts grantor trusts, non-grantor trusts, and other trusts created specifically to benefit a living or natural person. The certification form is not for an employment benefit trust or a trust created by a foreign country.5
Brighthouse's Owner/Annuitant Change form says a change of ownership "revokes ALL previous ownership designations" and "may be fully taxable, subject to tax reporting, and may reduce your benefits and terminate any riders on the contract."6
- IRA
A qualified contract (an IRA) cannot be owned by a trust.2
Trust account forms Brighthouse issues6
- Owner/Annuitant Change (OWN-CHG-DXC), fixed contracts
For annuitys. Available to download.6
Return to
Email: bhfrequests@brighthousefinancial.com
Fax: 1-877-246-8424
Mailing address: Brighthouse Financial, PO Box 4363, Clinton, IA 52733-4363
- Owner/Annuitant Change (OWN-CHG-DXC), variable, index-linked and fixed index contracts
For annuitys. Available to download.6
Return to
Email: bhfrequests@brighthousefinancial.com
Fax: 1-877-246-8424
Mailing address: Brighthouse Financial, PO Box 4301, Clinton, IA 52733-4301
- Trustee/Entity Certification for Existing Annuity Contracts (ANNTRUST-POST-B)
For annuitys. Completed by every trustee with power over the contract, and the annuitant. Available to download.5
Return to
Email: bhfrequests@brighthousefinancial.com
Fax: 1-877-246-8424
- Life Insurance Absolute Assignment / Change of Owner (LA-ABSOLUTEASGN-B), Brighthouse Life Insurance Company and of NY
For life insurance policys. Available to download.7
Return to
Fax: 1-401-827-2771
Mailing address: Brighthouse Financial, P.O. Box 14239, Lexington, KY 40512
- Life Insurance Absolute Assignment / Change of Owner (LA-ABSOLUTEASGN-B), New England Life Insurance Company
For life insurance policys. Available to download.7
Return to
Fax: 1-401-827-3156
Mailing address: Brighthouse Financial, P.O. Box 14239, Lexington, KY 40512
- Trust Certification (ETRUSTCERT-05-B), with separate NY and PR versions
For life insurance policys. Sent by the institution on request.8
What Brighthouse says about trust accounts5
- A trust as owner of a policy
A life policy is assigned to a living (inter vivos) trust on the Life Insurance Absolute Assignment form, Type C, which requires a completed Trust Certification. The form states "Do not use this form for Annuities."7
The form states: "An absolute Assignee is entitled to exercise all ownership rights and receive the death benefit."7
- Who signs for the trust
Every trustee or entity representative with the power to buy, sell, manage or transfer the contract signs, with their title.5
Unless notified in writing, Brighthouse will assume that each trustee can act alone and independently.5
- Review of the trust document
Brighthouse relies exclusively on the representations in the certification "and not upon a review of the trust document, even if the trust document has been or is later provided."5
The signing trustees indemnify Brighthouse, jointly and severally, for acting on that reliance.5
- Successor trustees
The same annuity certification form is used to update trustee information when trustees change.5
- The trust's tax identification number
The trust supplies its own tax ID number, not the grantor's Social Security number.2
Not in Brighthouse's published guidance1
- A processing time for a beneficiary or ownership change
Sources8
- 1.Beneficiary Change (ANN-BENE-B)
- 2.Brighthouse Financial Forms Center
- 3.Life Insurance Change of Beneficiary (BENECHANGE-B)
- 4.Brighthouse Financial website
- 5.Trustee/Entity Certification for Existing Annuity Contracts (ANNTRUST-POST-B)
- 6.Owner/Annuitant Change (OWN-CHG-DXC)
- 7.Life Insurance Absolute Assignment / Change of Owner (LA-ABSOLUTEASGN-B)
- 8.Trust Certification (ETRUSTCERT-05-B)
Sources
Data sourced from Brighthouse primary sources (18 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Brighthouse instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Brighthouse primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Brighthouse estate support
Brighthouse Financial Customer Service Center
Phone
Group Annuity Products
Life policies ending in BI, BLT, BLV, BLW, BNW, NI
Life policies ending in USU, USV, UT, FMU, MT, MLU
Life policies ending in US and FM
NEF policies beginning with 55, 27, 28, 38, 2U, 0Y, 0Z
Met/Tower and GenAm policies
Former Travelers policies (beginning with 1-9)
Former NEF policies (beginning with 1Y)
Former GenAm policies (beginning with 72, 73)
Former NEF policies (beginning with 3Y)
Former NEF policies (beginning with 3U, 4U, 5U, 1Z)
Promise Whole Life (ending in UT)
Individual Long-Term Care Servicing
Individual Long-Term Care Claims
Disability Policies
Total Control Account
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Estate requests go through general customer service.
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