How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at E*TRADE
Covers 5 investment, 9 retirement, and 4 deposit accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Phone1-800-387-2331
Fax1-866-650-0003
Mailing Address
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, P.O. Box 484, Jersey City, NJ 07303-0484
International
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-387-2331
Fax1-866-650-0003
Mailing Address
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, P.O. Box 484, Jersey City, NJ 07303-0484
International
WebsiteLearn more→
E*TRADE Beneficiary Services
Phone1-888-402-0653
Toll-Free1-888-402-0653
Fax1-866-650-0003
Mailing Address
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, P.O. Box 484, Jersey City, NJ 07303-0484
International
International Fax
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
There are two ways to keep your E*TRADE 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.
With 18 product types, E*TRADE offers a range of transfer options. Some investment accounts support Transfer on Death (TOD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
Premium Savings AccountMax-Rate Checking AccountChecking AccountCertificate of Deposit (CD)
1
Log in to your E*TRADE account at us.etrade.com
2
For brokerage accounts:
- Navigate to Customer Service > Account Management > Transfer on Death (TOD) Registration
- Add primary beneficiaries with percentage allocations totaling 100%
- Optionally add contingent (secondary) beneficiaries
- Provide each beneficiary's name, relationship, percentage, SSN, and address
3
For trusts as beneficiary: provide trust name, date established, and EIN
4
For other account types:
- IRA accounts: use the separate Designation of Beneficiary (IRA) form online or download the PDF
- Bank accounts (POD): download the Designation of Beneficiary - Bank Account form from forms-applications
5
Review and confirm your designations
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Trusts can be named as TOD or IRA beneficiaries
- Multiple beneficiaries can be named with percentage allocations
- Named beneficiaries override your will
- TOD form available online, via DocuSign, or as downloadable PDF
- IRA beneficiary form available online or as downloadable PDF
- Completed forms can be securely uploaded via Document Upload on etrade.com
Phone1-800-387-2331
Fax1-866-650-0003
Mailing Address
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, P.O. Box 484, Jersey City, NJ 07303-0484
International
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-387-2331
Fax1-866-650-0003
Mailing Address
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, P.O. Box 484, Jersey City, NJ 07303-0484
International
WebsiteLearn more→
E*TRADE Beneficiary Services
Phone1-888-402-0653
Toll-Free1-888-402-0653
Fax1-866-650-0003
Mailing Address
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, P.O. Box 484, Jersey City, NJ 07303-0484
International
International Fax
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your E*TRADE accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
