How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Dimensional
Covers 5 investment, and 2 retirement accounts — beneficiaries can be updated by phone
Dimensional Fund Advisors - Shareholder Services
Phone1-512-306-7400
Toll-Free1-888-576-1167
Mailing Address
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746
Financial Advisors
Institutional Investors
WebsiteLearn more→
SS&C GIDS, Inc. (Transfer Agent) - Handles trust registrations, beneficiary designations, and estate claims for directly held mutual fund shares. For ETFs held at a brokerage, contact the brokerage directly.
Phone1-888-576-1167
WebsiteLearn more→
SS&C GIDS, Inc. (Transfer Agent) - Estate Claims. For ETFs held at a brokerage, contact the brokerage firm. For retirement plan accounts, contact the plan administrator.
Phone1-888-576-1167
Toll-Free1-888-576-1167
Mailing Address
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
There are two ways to keep your Dimensional investment accounts out of probate: adding beneficiary designations and retitling eligible accounts into a revocable living trust. Which approach works best depends on the account type and your overall estate plan.
Dimensional has 7 investment accounts with different estate transfer rules. Here is how beneficiary designations, trust ownership, and probate apply to each one.
Dimensional ETFsDimensional Equity Mutual FundsDimensional Fixed Income Mutual FundsDimensional Funds in 529 Plans and HSAsDimensional Separately Managed Account (SMA)
1
Call SS&C GIDS, Inc. at 1-888-576-1167
2
Request a beneficiary designation or TOD form be mailed to you
3
Complete, sign, and return the form by mail
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- ETF beneficiary designations are managed by the brokerage holding the shares, not by Dimensional directly
- Mutual fund shares held directly are serviced by transfer agent SS&C GIDS, Inc.
- Retirement plan beneficiary designations are governed by plan documents and the plan administrator
- Spousal consent may be required for retirement accounts under ERISA rules
- TOD designations supersede will provisions for the account
Dimensional Fund Advisors - Shareholder Services
Phone1-512-306-7400
Toll-Free1-888-576-1167
Mailing Address
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746
Financial Advisors
Institutional Investors
WebsiteLearn more→
SS&C GIDS, Inc. (Transfer Agent) - Handles trust registrations, beneficiary designations, and estate claims for directly held mutual fund shares. For ETFs held at a brokerage, contact the brokerage directly.
Phone1-888-576-1167
WebsiteLearn more→
SS&C GIDS, Inc. (Transfer Agent) - Estate Claims. For ETFs held at a brokerage, contact the brokerage firm. For retirement plan accounts, contact the plan administrator.
Phone1-888-576-1167
Toll-Free1-888-576-1167
Mailing Address
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Dimensional accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
