How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at DCU
Covers 10 deposit, and 4 retirement accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Brand change
Digital Federal Credit Union and First Tech Federal Credit Union legally combined into First Technology Federal Credit Union on January 1, 2026, forming the 6th largest U.S. credit union by assets (about $28.7 billion, nearly 2 million members). Through 2026 the two continue operating as separate divisions under their own brands, so DCU account numbers, online banking, branches, phone (800-328-8797), and POD/trust/IRA designations remain in place. DCU CEO Shruti Miyashiro leads the combined credit union. Effective January 2026.
DCU is now part of First Tech. The procedures below reflect DCU's accounts during the transition. View the First Tech estate planning page.
Digital Federal Credit Union, 853 Donald Lynch Boulevard, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130
Digital Federal Credit Union, 853 Donald Lynch Boulevard, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130
Membership Maintenance (Deceased Member Services)
Digital Federal Credit Union, Membership Maintenance, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130
Estate planning at DCU means getting each account set up so it transfers automatically when you die—either through a POD beneficiary or trust ownership. Because DCU is a membership-based institution, trust retitling must maintain the membership eligibility requirement. Without one of these in place, accounts may require probate before your family can access the funds.
With 14 product types, DCU offers a range of transfer options. Some accounts support Payable on Death (POD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
- Government-issued ID
- Full legal names and dates of birth for each beneficiary
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Totten Membership Application establishes a POD (Payable on Death) membership
- Also known as a Totten trust -- not the same as a formal trust account
- Only the Trustee or Co-Trustee may conduct transactions while living
- Beneficiary cannot access funds while either Trustee is living
- Totten accounts can be set up as either DCU Savings or Checking accounts
- Debit or ATM cards issued in Trustee or Co-Trustee names only
- IRA beneficiary designations are separate from deposit account POD designations
- IRA beneficiaries managed through Ascensus IRA Service Center
- Membership eligibility requirements apply to the Trustee
- The Custodial Fiduciary Membership Application covers custodial, estate, representative payee, guardianship, or landlord/tenant memberships; use the dedicated Totten Membership Application form for POD-only designations
Sources
Data sourced from DCU primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these DCU instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against DCU primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Digital Federal Credit Union, 853 Donald Lynch Boulevard, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130
Digital Federal Credit Union, 853 Donald Lynch Boulevard, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130
Membership Maintenance (Deceased Member Services)
Digital Federal Credit Union, Membership Maintenance, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130
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