Estate planning at EquiTrust
How to protect 20 EquiTrust accounts — manage beneficiaries by phone, fund a trust by mail, and file death claims
Policyholder Services
Phone1-866-598-3692
Fax1-515-226-5101
Mailing Address
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 14500, Des Moines, IA 50306-3500
Website Support
WebsiteLearn more→
Policyholder Services
Phone1-866-598-3692
Fax1-515-226-5101
Mailing Address
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 14500, Des Moines, IA 50306-3500
Website Support
WebsiteLearn more→
Claims Department
Phone1-866-598-3692
Toll-Free1-866-598-3692
Fax1-515-226-5101
Mailing Address
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 14500, Des Moines, IA 50306-3500 (overnight: 7100 Westown Parkway, Suite 200, West Des Moines, IA 50266-2521)
Trust and estate claims (trustee/executor must call rather than use the online Report A Death form)
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
With 20 products relevant to estate planning, EquiTrust policyholders need to understand how beneficiary designations control where proceeds go. These designations override a will, so the names on file with EquiTrust are what determine who receives the death benefit.
EquiTrust handles beneficiary designations by mail and by phone. Accounts can also be linked to trusts through beneficiary designations to keep them out of probate entirely.
There are two sides to estate planning at EquiTrust: setting things up while you're alive, and the process survivors follow after a death.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to update beneficiaries by phone, fund a trust by mail, and review 20 account types at EquiTrust.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
10-step process, 12 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →Frequently asked questions
Contact EquiTrust at 866-598-3692 to request a Beneficiary Designation Form. Complete the form with each beneficiary full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number or TIN, relationship, address, and percentage allocation. Percentage allocations must total 100% for each beneficiary tier. Sign and date the form, then mail it to EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 14500, Des Moines, IA 50306-3500. If an irrevocable beneficiary has been named, that beneficiary written consent is required before any changes can be made.
Yes, an EquiTrust annuity can be owned by a trust, but EquiTrust requires the grantor of the trust to be the annuitant on the contract. Applications where the grantor and the annuitant are different persons are generally viewed as unsuitable and will typically be declined. The Trust Information Form and Trustee Certification (ET-TRUST-2502) must be submitted with every trust-owned application; electronic signatures are accepted and notarization is not required. Because a trust is a non-natural owner, tax deferral may be lost under IRC Section 72(u) unless an exception applies, so many families instead name the trust as beneficiary rather than owner. Download the trust form at https://agents.equitrust.com/files/Forms/ET-TRUST-2502.PDF and consult a tax advisor before transferring ownership.
Sources
Data sourced from EquiTrust primary sources (29 pages reviewed). How we research.
Policyholder Services
Phone1-866-598-3692
Fax1-515-226-5101
Mailing Address
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 14500, Des Moines, IA 50306-3500
Website Support
WebsiteLearn more→
Policyholder Services
Phone1-866-598-3692
Fax1-515-226-5101
Mailing Address
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 14500, Des Moines, IA 50306-3500
Website Support
WebsiteLearn more→
Claims Department
Phone1-866-598-3692
Toll-Free1-866-598-3692
Fax1-515-226-5101
Mailing Address
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 14500, Des Moines, IA 50306-3500 (overnight: 7100 Westown Parkway, Suite 200, West Des Moines, IA 50266-2521)
Trust and estate claims (trustee/executor must call rather than use the online Report A Death form)
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your EquiTrust accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
