Estate planning at Citibank
How to protect 20 Citibank accounts — manage beneficiaries online, fund a trust in-branch, and file claims through Citibank's Estate Servicing Unit
Estate Servicing Unit
Estate Servicing Unit
Citibank offers 20 consumer accounts that interact with estate planning in distinct ways. Of those, 18 can name a trust as beneficiary or be retitled into a trust. Understanding the transfer methods available for each account type helps families keep assets out of probate and ensure they pass to the right people.
Beneficiary designations at Citibank can be managed online, in branch, and by mail, typically taking a few minutes online; varies by mail. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle accounts into the name of a revocable living trust.
Citibank has documented procedures for both preparing accounts during your lifetime and handling claims when an account holder passes away.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to manage beneficiaries online, fund a trust in-branch, and review 20 account types at Citibank.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
Contact Citibank's Estate Servicing Unit to file a claim. 6-step process, 6 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →Reach Citibank's Estate Servicing Unit at 1-833-956-0413 for help with any of these procedures.
Frequently asked questions
Complete the IRA Change Information Form, available through Citi Online or by calling Retirement Plan Services at 1-800-695-5911. The information you provide on the form replaces any prior beneficiary designation. Changes must be in writing and are effective when received by Citibank. Mail completed forms to Retirement Plan Services, PO Box 790012, St. Louis, MO 63179 (or for overnight delivery: Citibank N.A., 1000 Technology Drive, MS 100 - RPS Retirement Plan Services, O'Fallon, MO 63368). Naming a trust as IRA beneficiary requires providing the trust's Tax ID Number and a copy of the trust instrument to Retirement Plan Services.
Citi Self Invest is a self-directed brokerage account with $0 commission stock and ETF trades and no account minimum. Citi Personal Wealth Management (CPWM) offers full-service brokerage with a dedicated financial advisor through Citigroup Global Markets Inc. Citi Wealth Builder and Wealth Builder Plus offer automated managed portfolios between these two tiers.
Visit a Citibank branch with your trust agreement or Certificate of Trust and government-issued ID for all trustees. Request to open a Special Title (trust) account or retitle an existing account. Provide the trust's tax identification number (EIN or SSN). A revocable living trust does not need its own tax ID -- income is taxed to the grantor. You can also call 1-800-321-2484 to initiate the process by phone or mail.
Sources
Data sourced from Citibank primary sources (18 pages reviewed). How we research.
Estate Servicing Unit
Estate Servicing Unit
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Citibank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
