How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at California CU
Covers 10 deposit, 2 retirement, and 3 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
California Credit Union, P.O. Box 29100, Glendale, CA 91209-9100
California Credit Union, P.O. Box 29100, Glendale, CA 91209-9100
Member Services
California Credit Union, P.O. Box 29100, Glendale, CA 91209-9100
Preparing your California CU accounts for estate transfer involves two key steps: designating beneficiaries on each account and, where appropriate, retitling accounts into a trust. Because California CU is a membership-based institution, trust retitling must maintain the membership eligibility requirement. Accounts with Payable on Death designations or trust ownership bypass probate entirely.
With 15 product types, California CU offers a range of transfer options. Some accounts support Payable on Death (POD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
- For deposit accounts: request POD (Payable on Death) designation with beneficiary full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and relationship
- For IRA accounts: complete the IRA Beneficiary Designation form with primary and contingent beneficiary sections
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Trust beneficiary designations may require a copy of the Certification of Trust
- IRA beneficiary changes for married account holders in California (a community property state) may require spousal consent
Sources
Data sourced from California CU primary sources (25 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these California CU instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against California CU primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
California Credit Union, P.O. Box 29100, Glendale, CA 91209-9100
California Credit Union, P.O. Box 29100, Glendale, CA 91209-9100
Member Services
California Credit Union, P.O. Box 29100, Glendale, CA 91209-9100
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