What to do when a CEFCU account holder dies
Contact CEFCU's Trust and Investment Management (Members Trust Company) — 6-step process, 6 required documents, and pod and joint accounts processed upon verification of death certificate and identification. estate accounts depend on probate court timelines. ncua share insurance continues to cover joint and pod funds for up to six months following the date of death.
Phone1-800-633-7077
Mailing Address
CEFCU, P.O. Box 1805, Peoria, IL 61656-1805
IRA Department
TTY (Hearing Impaired)
WebsiteLearn more→
Trust and Investment Management (Members Trust Company)
Phone309-633-2681
Fax309-633-2588
Mailing Address
7900 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61615
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Member Contact Center
Phone1-800-633-7077
Toll-Free1-800-633-7077
Mailing Address
CEFCU, P.O. Box 1805, Peoria, IL 61656-1805
Verified Apr 2026
When a CEFCU member passes away, the Trust and Investment Management (Members Trust Company) handles the transition of accounts to beneficiaries or the estate. Accounts with Payable on Death designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate, while solely-owned accounts may require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting CEFCU. A certified death certificate is the primary document required to start any claim.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what CEFCU requires:
Filing a claim
1
Contact CEFCU at 1.800.633.7077 or visit any CEFCU Member Center to notify the credit union of the member's passing
2
Provide a certified copy of the death certificate
3
CEFCU will review the account structure to determine the appropriate settlement path
4
Choose the appropriate settlement path:
- For joint accounts with right of survivorship: surviving owner retains full access to the account
- If POD beneficiary exists: funds pass directly to the named beneficiaries outside of the estate upon providing death certificate and government-issued photo ID
- For trust accounts: successor trustee provides trust documents, death certificate, and trust EIN
- If no joint owner, POD beneficiary, or trust: estate goes through probate; present Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- For small estates: a Small Estate Affidavit may be accepted under Illinois law (755 ILCS 5/25-1) for qualifying estates
5
For other account types, contact the appropriate department:
- For IRA accounts: beneficiaries complete distribution election forms through the IRA Department at ext. 33409
- For investment accounts through LPL Financial: contact the CEFCU financial advisor directly
- For trust and estate matters through Members Trust Company: contact the Trust and Investment Management department at 309.633.2681
6
Power of Attorney becomes void at death and cannot be used to settle accounts
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for beneficiary, joint owner, or personal representative
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD beneficiary; issued by probate court)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if estate qualifies under Illinois law, 755 ILCS 5/25-1)
- Trust documents and trust EIN (if trust-owned account)
- IRA beneficiary distribution election forms (for retirement accounts)
CEFCU Wealth Management through Members Trust Company provides estate settlement and fiduciary services. For insurance claims through TruStage, call 1.888.787.8243 x4833351. For investment and trust account estate matters, contact Members Trust Company at 309.633.2681 separately. CEFCU cannot provide legal, tax, or estate planning advice. Spouses of deceased members may qualify for CEFCU membership if established within six months of the member's death.
How long the process takes at CEFCU: POD and joint accounts processed upon verification of death certificate and identification. Estate accounts depend on probate court timelines. NCUA share insurance continues to cover joint and POD funds for up to six months following the date of death. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Documentation required by CEFCU includes Certified copy of the death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for beneficiary, joint owner, or personal representative, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD beneficiary; issued by probate court), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Visit any CEFCU Member Center with government-issued photo ID or call 1.800.633.7077. You can add Payable on Death (POD) beneficiaries to deposit accounts including checking, savings, money market, and certificates. For IRA accounts, contact the IRA Department at ext. 33409. For investment accounts through LPL Financial, contact your CEFCU financial advisor.
A Totten Trust account at CEFCU provides additional federal deposit insurance coverage through the NCUA and allows you to name beneficiaries who receive the funds upon your death. It functions similarly to a POD designation but is structured as a trust, potentially providing higher NCUA insurance limits.
CEFCU serves individuals who live, work, or worship in select counties across central Illinois (Fulton, Knox, Livingston, Logan, McLean, Macon, Marshall, Mason, Peoria, Putnam, Sangamon, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford) and in the San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara counties in California). Employees and retirees of Caterpillar Inc., Caterpillar dealers, and CEFCU partner companies are also eligible. Immediate family members of eligible individuals may join. Once you join, you remain a member for life even if you no longer meet eligibility requirements. Spouses of deceased members may qualify if membership is established within six months of the member's death.
CEFCU deposit accounts are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) up to $250,000 per ownership category. Totten Trust accounts can provide additional insurance coverage by designating beneficiaries. If combined account balances exceed $250,000, contact CEFCU to ensure your account ownership structure maximizes federal insurance coverage. NCUA share insurance continues to cover joint and POD funds for up to six months following a member's death.
Contact CEFCU at 1.800.633.7077 or visit any Member Center with a certified death certificate. Joint accounts with right of survivorship pass to the surviving owner. POD beneficiary accounts pass directly to named beneficiaries outside probate. Trust accounts transfer to the successor trustee. Accounts without a beneficiary designation go through probate, requiring Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. For small estates, a Small Estate Affidavit may be accepted under Illinois law (755 ILCS 5/25-1).
CEFCU's Death Claims / Member Contact Center can be reached by phone at 1-800-633-7077 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple CEFCU accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Trust and Investment Management (Members Trust Company) can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Phone1-800-633-7077
Mailing Address
CEFCU, P.O. Box 1805, Peoria, IL 61656-1805
IRA Department
TTY (Hearing Impaired)
WebsiteLearn more→
Trust and Investment Management (Members Trust Company)
Phone309-633-2681
Fax309-633-2588
Mailing Address
7900 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61615
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Member Contact Center
Phone1-800-633-7077
Toll-Free1-800-633-7077
Mailing Address
CEFCU, P.O. Box 1805, Peoria, IL 61656-1805
Verified Apr 2026
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