How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at EquiTrust
Covers 20 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be updated by phone
Policyholder Services
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 14500, Des Moines, IA 50306-3500
Policyholder Services
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 14500, Des Moines, IA 50306-3500
Claims Department
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)
Estate planning with EquiTrust policies centers on beneficiary designations—the single most important step for ensuring life insurance proceeds and annuity benefits reach the intended recipients without probate involvement. Unlike bank or brokerage accounts, insurance products are not retitled into trusts; instead, trusts are named as beneficiaries when estate tax planning or controlled distributions are needed.
EquiTrust offers 20 policies, each with its own transfer rules. The sections below cover how to set up beneficiaries, fund a trust, and which products support each approach.
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Percentage allocations must total 100% for each beneficiary tier (primary and contingent)
- Beneficiary designations override instructions in a will
- Only the contract or policy owner can change beneficiary designations
- An irrevocable beneficiary cannot be changed without the beneficiary written consent
- Spousal consent may be required in community property states
- For restricted payout instructions, use form ET-2533NQ (non-qualified) or ET-2533Q (qualified)
Sources
Data sourced from EquiTrust primary sources (29 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these EquiTrust instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against EquiTrust primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Policyholder Services
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 14500, Des Moines, IA 50306-3500
Policyholder Services
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 14500, Des Moines, IA 50306-3500
Claims Department
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)
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