What to do when a Delaware Life account holder dies
Report the death to Delaware Life's Customer Service at 1-800-374-3714
A death claim on a Delaware Life policy is filed through the Customer Service (1-800-374-3714). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
Before contacting Delaware Life, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Delaware Life:
Filing a claim
- Non-qualified contracts: IND-GS0013DCF
- Qualified contracts: IND-GS0020DCF
- A certificate of death listing the cause or manner of death
- Evidence of the marriage or other name change, if the beneficiary's name has changed
- An original of the letters testamentary, if an estate is making the claim
- Proof of death of any beneficiary who died before the contract owner or annuitant
- Your authorizing documents, if you sign as a fiduciary for the beneficiary and Delaware Life does not have them on file
Required Documents
- Distribution at Death Option FormEach beneficiary completes only one form, listing all contract numbers, when claiming the proceeds of all contracts under the same payment option.
- Certificate of deathMust list the cause or manner of death. Only one is required, however many contracts or beneficiaries are involved; Delaware Life reserves the right to request an original copy.
- Evidence of the marriage or other name change, if the beneficiary's name has changed by marriage or otherwise
- Original letters testamentary, if an estate is making the claimAn original of the letters testamentary confirming the probate court's appointment of the executor or administrator must accompany the form.
- Proof of death of a predeceased beneficiary, if there are multiple beneficiaries and any died before the contract owner or annuitantMust accompany the form or already be on file before the claim can be settled.
- Authorizing documents of a fiduciary signer, if you sign as a fiduciary (power of attorney, trustee, guardian, custodian) for the beneficiaryAttach them unless Delaware Life already has them on file.
- Trustee Affidavit Form, if the beneficiary is a grantor trust and the surviving spouse continues the contract
- Certification and Indemnity Agreement For Generation–Skipping Transfer Tax (IND-GS0148GST), to certify that the death proceeds are exempt from generation-skipping transfer tax
Forms Delaware Life issues4
- Distribution at Death Option Form IND-GS0013DCF (non-qualified contracts)
Completed by each beneficiary. Available to download.1
- Distribution at Death Option Form IND-GS0020DCF (qualified contracts)
Completed by each beneficiary. Available to download.2
- Certification and Indemnity Agreement For Generation–Skipping Transfer Tax (IND-GS0148GST)
Completed by the executor or administrator, or the beneficiary if no estate is being probated. Available to download. Must be notarized.3
What happens to each kind of account1
- Annuity
If the contract is invested in variable sub-accounts, a beneficiary may make a one-time full reallocation into the Money Market by letter of instruction or by calling Customer Service. Until the claim is accepted in good order, the share stays subject to the market risk of those allocations.1
What Delaware Life's agreement and guidance say3
- How proceeds are paid
Depending on how promptly the beneficiary responds and on Delaware Life's validation of the information provided, some distribution options may no longer be available on the date the claim is processed.1
Delaware Life requires notarization when the payment is to be mailed to an address other than the beneficiary's, and an original signature guarantee when a beneficiary's portion is $250,000 or more, unless it is a transfer, rollover or exchange to another financial institution.1
- What it says about taxes
Delaware Life's claim forms say "some states require the Company to obtain authorization from the appropriate state tax or revenue department before a claim payment may be made to certain beneficiaries."1
Delaware Life's generation-skipping transfer tax form says the company "will not withhold or remit GST tax to the IRS if this Certification and Indemnity Agreement is completed, notarized, and returned."3
- Indemnity a claimant may have to give
By signing the claim form, the beneficiary agrees to indemnify and hold Delaware Life harmless from any claims, liabilities and losses it incurs by relying on the instructions in the form.1
Not in Delaware Life's published guidance1
- How long a claim takes
Sources4
- 1.Distribution at Death Option Form For Non-Qualified Annuity Contracts in the Accumulation Phase (IND-GS0013DCF), Rev 07/2026
- 2.Distribution at Death Option Form For Qualified Annuity Contracts in the Accumulation Phase (IND-GS0020DCF), Rev 07/2026
- 3.Certification and Indemnity Agreement For Generation–Skipping Transfer Tax (IND-GS0148GST), Rev 07/2026
- 4.Service Forms
Delaware Life's Customer Service can be reached by phone at 1-800-374-3714, email at AnnuityForms@delawarelife.com, and fax at 1-800-883-9165 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Delaware Life primary sources (24 pages reviewed). How we research.
Delaware Life death claims support
Customer Service
Phone
Customer Service (policies opened 08/30/20 or earlier)
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
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