How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Cerity Partners

A taxable advisory account takes a transfer on death (TOD) agreement on the custodian's form. The form differs depending on whether the account sits at Charles Schwab or at Fidelity.^{1, 2}

An IRA takes the custodian's IRA beneficiary designation form.¹

A trust can be named as beneficiary, by its exact name, the date it was established and its tax ID.¹

Naming a trust as an IRA beneficiary requires the exact trust name, date and tax ID on the custodian's form.¹

Primary and contingent allocations total 100 percent in each tier.¹

For investment accounts. Completed by the account owner; the advisor submits it to the custodian. Sent by the institution on request.¹

For IRAs. Completed by the account owner; the advisor submits it to the custodian. Sent by the institution on request.¹

A named beneficiary on the custodian's form controls the account at death and overrides your will.¹

The logins in the Cerity Partners site menu (Addepar, Orion, Black Diamond, eMoney, Cerity Partners Cash Management, MoneyGuide Pro, ShareFile, Box and Secure Email) are third-party reporting, planning and file-exchange platforms.¹

None of those logins is a place to file a beneficiary change.¹

An advisory account is retitled into the trust as a custodian transaction that your advisor submits. The custodian re-registers the account in the trust's name.^{1, 2}

An IRA cannot be retitled to the trust and keeps its own beneficiary form. The trust can only be named as beneficiary on the custodian's form.¹

An employer retirement plan cannot be retitled to a trust. The trust can only be named as beneficiary on the recordkeeper's form.¹

Completed by the trustees; the advisor submits it to the custodian. Sent by the institution on request.¹

Custody of Cerity Partners advisory accounts, and their beneficiary and trust registration paperwork²

Custody of Cerity Partners advisory accounts, and their beneficiary and trust registration paperwork²