How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Cigna
Covers 6 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Cigna Healthcare Customer Service
Cigna Healthcare Customer Service
New York Life Group Benefit Solutions (formerly Cigna Group Life & Disability)
New York Life Group Benefit Solutions, P.O. Box 22328, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-0328
For Cigna policyholders, estate planning comes down to one critical step: making sure the right beneficiaries are named on every policy. Insurance proceeds bypass probate entirely and go directly to whoever is listed—regardless of what a will says. When estate tax planning or controlled distributions are a factor, a trust can be named as beneficiary instead.
The transfer rules at Cigna vary across 6 policies. Below is a breakdown of beneficiary options, trust funding, and which products support each method.
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Beneficiary designations on group life policies override instructions in a will
- A trust can be named as a primary or contingent beneficiary
- Per stirpes and per capita distribution options may be available depending on the plan
- Spousal consent may be required in community property states
- Review and update beneficiary designations after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth, or death of a beneficiary
- If no beneficiary is designated or no named beneficiary survives the insured, proceeds are typically paid according to the plan default order of precedence (spouse, children, parents, estate)
Sources
Data sourced from Cigna primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Cigna instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Cigna primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Cigna Healthcare Customer Service
Cigna Healthcare Customer Service
New York Life Group Benefit Solutions (formerly Cigna Group Life & Disability)
New York Life Group Benefit Solutions, P.O. Box 22328, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-0328
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