What to do when a First Tech account holder dies
Report the death to First Tech's Regulatory Deposit Services and Reporting at 1-855-855-8805
When a member of First Tech passes away, the Regulatory Deposit Services and Reporting handles the transition of accounts to beneficiaries or the estate. Accounts with Payable on Death designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate, while solely-owned accounts may require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at First Tech:
Filing a claim
- A Deceased Person Case is created.
- An informational letter is sent to the email address provided at the time of notification.
- Restrictions may be placed on accounts to help protect applicable funds.
- Digital banking access is generally turned off for the deceased member, and accounts may be delinked from payment and transfer options.
- Future outgoing mail may be stopped for the deceased member.
- A specialist contacts the family to explain the process and the documentation needed.
- Transferred to another existing First Tech account
- Deposited into a newly opened account
- Transferred to an estate account
- Issued as a cashier's check or check to the surviving party
- The account closed after outstanding transactions have cleared
- Payable-on-death payee: death certificate and photo ID
- Joint account: death certificate, to remove the deceased owner or to re-title the account to the survivor
- Trust account: death certificate, trust documentation and trustee identification
- Estate: Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, or a Small Estate Affidavit where the state allows it
Required Documents
- Death certificateA legible photocopy or digital scan is accepted; First Tech may require a physical certified copy depending on the circumstances.
- Government-issued photo ID, for the claimant: a payable-on-death payee, surviving joint owner, trustee or personal representative
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, where there is no payable-on-death payee and no surviving joint ownerThe death page describes them as "issued by the court when formal probate of an estate is required under applicable state law".
- Small Estate Affidavit, where the state offers that simplified processFirst Tech lists it among the documents it may accept, describing it as a simplified process many states offer when total assets are below a certain value.
- Trust documentation and trustee identification, for a trust account, from the successor trustee
- Taxpayer identification number of the estate or successorWithout it, the account agreement says First Tech "may either refuse to pay dividends earned on the account since the date of the death or withhold a portion" of them.
What happens to each kind of account4
- Payable-on-death account
The account is paid first to First Tech for any outstanding matured or unmatured debts owed to it, then to the surviving payees in equal shares.1
- Joint account with survivorship
If the primary owner survives, the deceased joint owner is removed after First Tech receives a death certificate. If a joint owner survives the primary owner, First Tech can make the joint owner primary, or close the accounts and re-open them in the joint owner's name.2
- Certificate of deposit
Share certificate early withdrawal penalties are waived on death. A beneficiary may take the payout, or close the certificate and open a new one at current products and rates.3
- Life insurance policy
Insurance claims, including accidental death and dismemberment, are filed with the carrier, not with First Tech.4
State law on paying a balance without letters4 states
- Massachusetts
Permits a credit union to pay up to $10,000 on proof the institution acceptsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 167D, § 12Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Oregon
Permits a credit union to pay up to $25,000 on an affidavitORS 723.466Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Texas
Permits a credit union to pay up to $5,000 on an order of the courtTex. Est. Code § 152.051Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Washington
Permits a credit union to pay up to $2,500 on an affidavitRCW 30A.22.190(2)Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceRCW 30A.22.190(2)
Permits a credit union to pay on an affidavit; the section sets no dollar limitRCW 30A.22.190(1)Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceRCW 30A.22.190(1)
Permits a credit union to pay up to $1,000 on an affidavitRCW 11.62.030Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceRCW 11.62.030
Accounts handled elsewhere5
- Addison Avenue Investment Services
Addison Avenue investment accounts (extension 2)2
Phone: 1-855-744-8585
- Affinion Benefits Group
Accidental death and dismemberment claims4
Phone: 1-877-309-6576
- Selman & Company
Group term life and guaranteed issue group term life claims4
Phone: 1-877-665-7563
- Symetra Life
Claims on Symetra Life policies4
Phone: 1-800-796-3872
- First Tech Insurance Services
Insurance policy services and claims4
Phone: 1-855-744-8585
Email: insure@firsttechfed.com
What First Tech provides to the estate1
- Statement copies
Successor trustees, payable-on-death payees after the death of all owners, and the administrator of a deceased owner's estate may be treated as an owner for obtaining historical statements and transaction information.2
What First Tech's agreement and guidance say6
- Telling the institution
The agreement states: "You agree to notify us immediately of the death or court-declared incompetence of any owner of your account."1
- Payments after the death
For ten days after the date of death, First Tech may pay or guarantee checks drawn on or before that date, unless a person claiming an interest in the account orders it in writing to stop payment.2
- Deposits after the death
If a depositor such as a government agency demands the return of sums directly deposited during the month of or after the death of any account holder, First Tech must honor the demand and may debit the account for the full amount returned.2
- Debts owed to the institution
A surviving joint owner's interest remains "subject to the Credit Union's right of setoff for the deceased owner's obligations", even if the survivor never consented to a pledge the deceased owner granted.2
- Disputes between claimants
Where claims conflict, First Tech may restrict the account, close it and send the funds to the owner of record, or interplead the funds into court, and may charge the account for its expenses and attorney fees.1
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
"If funds remain unclaimed, First Tech must follow state unclaimed property laws. After the required holding period, funds may be transferred to the appropriate state agency."2
Not in First Tech's published guidance1
- How long a claim takes
First Tech's Regulatory Deposit Services and Reporting can be reached by phone at 1-855-855-8805 and fax at 1-503-350-4643 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from First Tech primary sources (18 pages reviewed). How we research.
First Tech death claims support
Regulatory Deposit Services and Reporting (Estate / Deceased Member)
Phone
Toll-free
First Tech Insurance Services (claims)
Affinion Benefits Group (AD&D claims)
Selman & Company (group term life claims)
Addison Direct (investment accounts)
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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