Estate planning at Consumers CU
How to protect 22 Consumers CU accounts — manage beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and file claims through Consumers CU's Investment Services (via LPL Financial / TruStage)
Member Services
Phone877-275-2228
Mailing Address
300 N Field Dr., Lake Forest, IL 60045
WebsiteLearn more→
Investment Services (via LPL Financial / TruStage)
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Member Services
Phone877-275-2228
Mailing Address
300 N Field Dr., Lake Forest, IL 60045
Verified May 2026
Consumers CU offers 22 accounts, each with its own rules for what happens when a member dies. As a membership-based credit union, Consumers CU serves members through 22 branches throughout northern Illinois, including locations in Lake Forest, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Carol Stream, Waukegan, Mundelein, Northbrook, Loves Park, and surrounding communities. Following the KCT merger, all members have access to an expanded network of branch and ATM locations. Membership is open to anyone who joins the Consumers Cooperative Association with a one-time, non-refundable $5 fee (reimbursed by CCU for most new members). Over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. Headquarters: 300 N Field Dr., Lake Forest, IL 60045. Some transfer automatically to a named beneficiary, others can be held in a trust, and a few may require probate if no plan is in place.
Beneficiary changes at Consumers CU can be made in branch and by phone. Accounts can also be retitled into a trust to keep them out of probate entirely.
Consumers CU provides specific procedures for both proactive estate planning and filing claims after a death.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to update beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and review 22 account types at Consumers CU.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
Contact Consumers CU's Investment Services (via LPL Financial / TruStage) to file a claim. 6-step process, 6 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →Because Consumers CU serves a limited number of states, procedures for trust funding and beneficiary changes may differ depending on your location. Verify availability before starting.
Frequently asked questions
Everyone is eligible to join Consumers Credit Union. The process requires joining the Consumers Cooperative Association with a one-time $5 membership fee, which CCU reimburses (the reimbursement does not apply to indirect members or those joining to refinance a loan). A minimum $5 deposit in a Membership Share/Savings Account is also required. You need a valid, unexpired U.S. government-issued photo ID. If your photo ID does not show your current address, bring two current utility bills as additional documentation. Apply online at https://www.myconsumers.org/how-to-become-a-member or by calling 877.275.2228.
The Free Rewards Checking account earns tiered rates up to 5.00% APY on balances from $0.01 to $10,000 when qualifying activity requirements are met, including at least 12 debit card purchases each month, $500 in electronic deposits (direct deposit, ACH, or mobile check deposit), and eStatements enrollment. Higher tiers require CCU credit card purchases ($500/month for 4.00% APY, $1,000/month for 5.00% APY). Balances over $10,000 earn 0.20% APY ($10,000.01-$25,000) or 0.10% APY ($25,000.01+). Non-qualifying months earn 0.01% APY. No minimum balance or monthly fees. Over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs.
CCU offers multiple Visa credit cards including the Visa Signature Cash Back Card (earning 3x points on groceries, restaurants, and food delivery; 2x on gas/EV charging, transportation, and streaming; 1x on everything else), Visa Signature Cash Rebate Card (2% unlimited cash rewards with a $200 new cardholder bonus for $1,000 in purchases within 90 days), and Platinum Rewards Visa. New qualifying cardholders receive 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months (Cash Rebate offer extended to December 31, 2026). Standard rates range from 13.20% to 27.49% APR. Cash back redeemable as statement credit or transfer to CCU checking or savings.
Yes. CCU offers investment services through LPL Financial (member FINRA/SIPC) and TruStage Wealth Management Consulting Services. Services include retirement planning, IRAs, college planning, investment portfolios, life insurance, and comprehensive financial planning. Representatives have more than 20 years of experience working with credit unions. CCU also partners with GreenPath for free debt counseling, housing counseling, credit report reviews, and financial education. Securities and insurance products through LPL are not NCUA insured and may lose value. Visit https://www.myconsumers.org/investment-services for details.
Yes. Eligible deposit accounts including savings, checking, money market, and certificates can be retitled to a trust. Call CCU at 877.275.2228 to schedule a branch appointment and gather the required documentation: a complete trust document or certification of trust, government-issued photo ID for all trustees, and the trust EIN or SSN. Existing accounts may need to be closed and reopened in the trust name. IRA accounts cannot be retitled to a trust but can name a trust as beneficiary through the IRA beneficiary designation process. Trust accounts using a Social Security number for tax reporting will appear alongside personal accounts in CCU Online Banking under a single login.
The Smart Saver is a high-yield savings account that accepts $50 to $1,000 in deposits per month. It earns 3.00% APY when qualifications are met: a CCU checking relationship, at least $500 deposited to checking per month, and enrollment in eDocuments. Without meeting qualifications, the rate drops to 0.25% APY. Deposits exceeding the $1,000 monthly limit are automatically transferred to Membership Savings. The rate also drops to 0.25% APY if a withdrawal occurs during the month.
Sources
Data sourced from Consumers CU primary sources (24 pages reviewed). How we research.
Member Services
Phone877-275-2228
Mailing Address
300 N Field Dr., Lake Forest, IL 60045
WebsiteLearn more→
Investment Services (via LPL Financial / TruStage)
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Member Services
Phone877-275-2228
Mailing Address
300 N Field Dr., Lake Forest, IL 60045
Verified May 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Consumers CU accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
