Estate planning at Foresters
How to protect 10 Foresters accounts — manage beneficiaries online, fund a trust by mail, and file death claims
Phone1-800-828-1540
Mailing Address
Foresters Financial, P.O. Box 179, Buffalo, NY 14201-0179
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-828-1540
Mailing Address
Foresters Financial, P.O. Box 179, Buffalo, NY 14201-0179
WebsiteLearn more→
Life Insurance Claims
Phone1-800-828-1540
Toll-Free1-800-828-1540
Fax1-877-329-4631
Mailing Address
Foresters Financial, P.O. Box 179, Buffalo, NY 14201-0179
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
With 10 products relevant to estate planning, Foresters policyholders need to understand how beneficiary designations control where proceeds go. These designations override a will, so the names on file with Foresters are what determine who receives the death benefit.
Foresters lets account holders update beneficiary designations online, by mail, and by phone, typically taking 10-15 minutes to complete the form; processing within 10-15 business days. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to name a trust as the policy beneficiary or establish an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT).
Foresters has documented procedures for both preparing accounts during your lifetime and handling claims when an account holder passes away.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to manage beneficiaries online, fund a trust by mail, and review 10 account types at Foresters.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
10-step process, 9 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →Frequently asked questions
Download the Change of Beneficiary form from foresters.com under Customer Care or call 1-800-828-1540 to request it. Complete the form with all primary and contingent beneficiaries, including full legal names, dates of birth, relationships, and percentage allocations (each class must total 100%). All beneficiaries must be listed, even those not being changed. The form must be signed by the certificate owner. Mail to Foresters Financial, P.O. Box 179, Buffalo, NY 14201-0179 or fax to 1-877-329-4631. You can also access the form through the MyForesters portal at my.foresters.com if you are both the owner and the insured.
Foresters Financial is the trade name of The Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal benefit society founded in 1874. Fraternal organizations issue "certificates" rather than "policies"; the terms are functionally equivalent for estate planning. Life insurance is available in every U.S. state except New York. Some products have additional state restrictions: Prepared II is not available in Georgia or Oregon; Live Well Plus is not available in California or Nevada; Advantage Plus II is not available in Nevada; SMART UL is not available in Mississippi or Nevada; PlanRight is not available in Oregon. Confirm product availability in your state with an independent insurance agent or by calling 1-800-828-1540.
Sources
Data sourced from Foresters primary sources (23 pages reviewed). How we research.
Phone1-800-828-1540
Mailing Address
Foresters Financial, P.O. Box 179, Buffalo, NY 14201-0179
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-828-1540
Mailing Address
Foresters Financial, P.O. Box 179, Buffalo, NY 14201-0179
WebsiteLearn more→
Life Insurance Claims
Phone1-800-828-1540
Toll-Free1-800-828-1540
Fax1-877-329-4631
Mailing Address
Foresters Financial, P.O. Box 179, Buffalo, NY 14201-0179
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Foresters accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
