How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Schwab
Covers 7 investment, 2 deposit, and 7 retirement accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Phone1-800-435-4000
Mailing Address
Charles Schwab, 211 Main Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Services / Inheritance Center
Phone1-877-566-2284
Toll-Free1-877-566-2284
Mailing Address
Charles Schwab Corporation, Attn: Estate Distribution Team, 2423 E. Lincoln Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85016-1215
Client Banking Services
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
The key to protecting your Schwab investment accounts is making sure each one has a transfer mechanism in place—either a beneficiary designation or trust ownership. Without one, the account goes through probate, adding time, cost, and court involvement for your family.
Schwab has 16 product types, and the estate transfer rules differ across them. Some support Transfer on Death (TOD) designations, some can be retitled into a trust, and others will require probate if nothing is set up. Each is covered below.
Schwab Bank Investor Checking™Schwab Bank Investor Savings™
1
Log in to client.schwab.com
2
Click the person icon or "Profile" link in the upper right corner, then select "Beneficiaries" from the dropdown
3
Select the account to add or update beneficiaries
4
Enter beneficiary details:
- Choose to add primary and/or contingent beneficiaries
- Provide beneficiary name, relationship, date of birth, and SSN (optional)
- For trusts: provide trust name, date established, and EIN
- Specify percentage allocation for each beneficiary (must total 100%)
5
Review and confirm designations electronically
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Trusts can be named as beneficiaries on brokerage and retirement accounts
- The Designated Beneficiary Plan generally takes precedence over wills or trusts
- Beneficiary information fields include SSN, date of birth, phone, and mailing address to help Schwab contact or verify heirs
- The Designated Beneficiary Plan (TOD) is NOT available to Louisiana residents or to accounts with a primary address outside the United States
Sources
Data sourced from Schwab primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Schwab instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Schwab primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Phone1-800-435-4000
Mailing Address
Charles Schwab, 211 Main Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Services / Inheritance Center
Phone1-877-566-2284
Toll-Free1-877-566-2284
Mailing Address
Charles Schwab Corporation, Attn: Estate Distribution Team, 2423 E. Lincoln Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85016-1215
Client Banking Services
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Schwab accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
