How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Cambridge
Covers 5 investment, 1 deposit, and 5 retirement accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Cambridge Client Services
Phone(641) 472-5100
Toll-Free1-800-777-6080
Mailing Address
1776 Pleasant Plain Road, Fairfield, IA 52556-8757
Business development
WebsiteLearn more→
Cambridge Client Services
Phone(641) 472-5100
Toll-Free1-800-777-6080
Mailing Address
1776 Pleasant Plain Road, Fairfield, IA 52556-8757
Business development
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Settlement (via Financial Advisor)
Phone(641) 472-5100
Toll-Free1-800-777-6080
Mailing Address
Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., 1776 Pleasant Plain Road, Fairfield, IA 52556-8757
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Preparing your Cambridge investment accounts for estate transfer involves two primary strategies: designating beneficiaries on individual accounts and, where supported, retitling accounts into a revocable living trust. Both approaches bypass probate, but they work differently depending on the account type.
With 11 product types, Cambridge offers a range of transfer options. Some investment accounts support Transfer on Death (TOD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
Insured Bank Deposit Program
1
Schedule a meeting with your Cambridge-affiliated financial advisor
2
Bring government-issued photo ID to the meeting
3
Advisor provides the appropriate beneficiary designation or TOD form from the clearing firm (NFS or Pershing)
4
Complete the form with beneficiary details:
- Full legal name, date of birth, SSN, relationship, and allocation percentages
- For trusts as beneficiary: provide trust name, date established, and tax ID number
5
Sign the form with your advisor present
6
Advisor submits completed forms to the clearing firm for processing
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Advisor-mediated process -- consumers do not open accounts directly with Cambridge
- Forms vary by clearing firm (NFS or Pershing)
- Named beneficiaries override your will
- Cambridge advisors frequently work alongside CPAs and estate attorneys for coordinated planning
Sources
Data sourced from Cambridge primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Cambridge instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Cambridge primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Cambridge Client Services
Phone(641) 472-5100
Toll-Free1-800-777-6080
Mailing Address
1776 Pleasant Plain Road, Fairfield, IA 52556-8757
Business development
WebsiteLearn more→
Cambridge Client Services
Phone(641) 472-5100
Toll-Free1-800-777-6080
Mailing Address
1776 Pleasant Plain Road, Fairfield, IA 52556-8757
Business development
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Settlement (via Financial Advisor)
Phone(641) 472-5100
Toll-Free1-800-777-6080
Mailing Address
Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., 1776 Pleasant Plain Road, Fairfield, IA 52556-8757
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Cambridge accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
