What to do when a Franklin Templeton account holder dies
Contact Franklin Templeton's Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support — 7-step process, 12 required documents, and a request to transfer a tod account cannot be completed until at least 30 days have elapsed since the final owner's date of death. other timelines vary by account type and completeness of documentation; contact franklin templeton at (800) 632-2301 for specific timelines.
Franklin Templeton Investor Services
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
When an account holder at Franklin Templeton passes away, the next step depends on how the investment accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with Franklin Templeton's Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support ((800) 632-2301) to access and distribute the funds.
Death claims at Franklin Templeton can be started through an online portal, which streamlines the initial notification and document upload. Phone and mail options are also available.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Franklin Templeton requires:
Filing a claim
- Non-retirement accounts with no TOD designation (sole registration): complete the Non-Retirement Change of Ownership Form (GOF-NCO) and provide probate documents (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration dated within 180 days) or a Small Estate Affidavit -- state-specific rules and dollar thresholds apply
- Non-retirement Putnam mutual fund accounts with TOD designation: complete the Putnam TOD Beneficiary Claim Form (TODBC-FORM) -- a signature/medallion guarantee is required
- Franklin Templeton IRAs (FTIOS-custodied): complete the Beneficiary Transfer/Distribution Request Form (RRET-FBDST) -- a signature guarantee is required
- Putnam IRAs (PFTC-custodied): complete the Putnam IRA Beneficiary Distribution Form (IRABD-FORM) -- a signature/medallion guarantee is required
- 529 accounts: complete the 529 Transfer Due to Death of Account Owner form (ESNJA-TDD) -- submit to the 529 plan address in Boston, MA
- Certified death certificate
- Successor trustee government-issued identification
- Key trust document pages (title page, current trustee designation, signature page)
- Completed Beneficiary Transfer/Distribution Request Form (RRET-FBDST) with a signature guarantee
- Certified death certificate
- Required trust document pages (title page, trustee designation, signature page)
- Franklin Templeton mutual fund, IRA (FTIOS), and 529 forms: Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030 (West Coast: P.O. Box 997152, Sacramento, CA 95899-7152; fax 1-855-891-8377)
- Putnam IRA and Putnam TOD claim forms (IRABD-FORM, TODBC-FORM): Putnam Investments, P.O. Box 219697, Kansas City, MO 64121-9697 (overnight: 801 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 219697, Kansas City, MO 64105-1307)
- 529 forms (ESNJA-TDD): Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan, P.O. Box 55961, Boston, MA 02205 (overnight: 95 Wells Ave Suite 160, Newton, MA 02459)
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate (additional certified copy required for any deceased beneficiary)
- Valid government-issued ID for the claimant, beneficiary, or successor trustee
- Completed claim or distribution form appropriate to account type (TODBC-FORM, IRABD-FORM, RRET-FBDST, GOF-NCO, or ESNJA-TDD)
- Signature guarantee or medallion guarantee stamp on the TOD claim form and on IRA beneficiary distribution forms (required in all cases for TODBC-FORM and IRABD-FORM; required on RRET-FBDST when a trust beneficiary is named or when other specific conditions apply)
- For non-retirement accounts without TOD: Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration dated within 180 days, or Small Estate Affidavit (state-specific) plus an Inheritance Tax Waiver or Consent to Transfer if the decedent resided in Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, or Tennessee
- For non-retirement accounts without TOD: completed Non-Retirement Change of Ownership Form (GOF-NCO)
- For IRA beneficiary claims where a trust is named: copy of the first page, trustee designation page, and signature page of the trust agreement (original certification within 120 days)
- For trust accounts: key pages from the trust document (title page, current trustee designation page, signature page)
- For trust accounts: certified copy of trust (original certification within 120 days) if current authorized trustee is not named in account registration
- For trust accounts: copy of successor trustee government-issued ID
- For 529 accounts: completed 529 Transfer Due to Death of Account Owner form (ESNJA-TDD); if no Successor Account Owner/Custodian is on file, executor of estate or beneficiary documentation is required
- For UGMA/UTMA beneficiary accounts where the beneficiary is a minor: appointment of legal guardian or conservator (original certification within 120 days)
What to know at this institution
Franklin Templeton maintains dedicated support pages for different account types under "Support for When a Shareholder Passes." Putnam Investments (acquired by Franklin Templeton in 2024) retains separate Putnam-branded forms (IRABD-FORM, TODBC-FORM) and processing in Kansas City, MO; Franklin Templeton (FTIOS) retirement and non-retirement accounts process through St. Petersburg, FL; the 529 College Savings Plan processes through Boston, MA. For non-probated estates, a Settlement of Small Estate may satisfy requirements in lieu of formal probate documents; rules vary by state and depend on the account balance. Each beneficiary of an IRA must complete a separate claim form when multiple beneficiaries exist. For probated estates, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration must be dated within 180 days for the Non-Retirement Change of Ownership Form, or within 120 days for the Putnam IRABD-FORM.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Franklin Templeton
Franklin Templeton provides its own letter-of-instruction form. Answer a few questions and we complete that official form for you to print and sign.
Build your letter of instructionHow long the process takes at Franklin Templeton: A request to transfer a TOD account cannot be completed until at least 30 days have elapsed since the final owner's date of death. Other timelines vary by account type and completeness of documentation; contact Franklin Templeton at (800) 632-2301 for specific timelines. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Documentation required by Franklin Templeton includes Certified copy of the death certificate (additional certified copy required for any deceased beneficiary), Valid government-issued ID for the claimant, beneficiary, or successor trustee, and Completed claim or distribution form appropriate to account type (TODBC-FORM, IRABD-FORM, RRET-FBDST, GOF-NCO, or ESNJA-TDD), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
For non-retirement mutual fund accounts held directly with Franklin Templeton, you can either name a Transfer on Death (TOD) beneficiary using the Transfer on Death Registration Form (GOF-FTOD) or re-register the account to a trust using the Non-Retirement Change of Ownership Form (GOF-NCO). TOD forms cannot be used on IRA or retirement plan accounts. To open a new mutual fund account directly in a trust name, complete the Account Application (GOF-APP) and select "Trust" as the registration type, including the trust's title page, trustee page, and signature page. Mail to Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030 or fax to 1-855-891-8377. Call (800) 632-2301 with questions.
Yes. IRAs cannot be retitled to a trust, but a trust can be named as beneficiary using the Designation of Beneficiary Form (RRET-FBEN). When naming a trust, you must include copies of the trust agreement's title (first) page, the page naming current trustees, and the signature page. At the time of an IRA death claim where the trust is the beneficiary, the trustee must also complete the Beneficiary Transfer/Distribution Request Form (RRET-FBDST) with a signature guarantee, plus a certified death certificate and the same three trust document pages. Each beneficiary must complete a separate form when multiple beneficiaries exist.
Steps depend on the account type. For all accounts, obtain a certified copy of the death certificate. For Putnam mutual fund accounts with a TOD designation, complete the Putnam TOD Beneficiary Claim Form (TODBC-FORM) and mail to Putnam in Kansas City, MO -- a signature/medallion guarantee is required, and the claim cannot be processed until 30 days after the final owner's date of death. For Franklin Templeton (FTIOS) IRAs, complete the Beneficiary Transfer/Distribution Request Form (RRET-FBDST). For Putnam (PFTC) IRAs, complete the Putnam IRA Beneficiary Distribution Form (IRABD-FORM). For non-retirement accounts without a TOD designation, complete the Non-Retirement Change of Ownership Form (GOF-NCO) with Letters Testamentary/Administration (dated within 180 days) or a Small Estate Affidavit. For 529 accounts, complete the 529 Transfer Due to Death of Account Owner form (ESNJA-TDD) and mail to the Boston, MA address.
Franklin Templeton acquired Putnam Investments in 2024. Putnam-branded mutual fund and IRA accounts continue to use Putnam-branded forms -- the Putnam IRA Beneficiary Distribution Form (IRABD-FORM) and the Putnam TOD Beneficiary Claim Form (TODBC-FORM) -- and are processed by Putnam Investor Services. Mail Putnam decedent forms to Putnam Investments, P.O. Box 219697, Kansas City, MO 64121-9697 (overnight: 801 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 219697, Kansas City, MO 64105-1307). Putnam IRA decedent line: 1-800-662-0019. Putnam mutual fund decedent line: 1-800-225-1581. Franklin Templeton (FTIOS) IRAs and non-retirement accounts use St. Petersburg, FL addresses and Franklin Templeton-branded forms.
The Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan (administered by the New Jersey HESAA) uses a successor-account-owner mechanism rather than a beneficiary designation. If a Successor Account Owner/Custodian is on file, ownership transfers to that successor by submitting the 529 Transfer Due to Death of Account Owner Form (ESNJA-TDD) along with a certified death certificate. If no successor is named, the executor of the estate, an adult beneficiary, or a parent/guardian of a minor beneficiary may request transfer with supporting documentation. Mail to: Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan, P.O. Box 55961, Boston, MA 02205 (overnight: 95 Wells Ave Suite 160, Newton, MA 02459). Call (866) 362-1597 (Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET) for assistance. An Inheritance Tax Waiver may be required for residents of Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, or Tennessee.
Franklin Templeton's Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support can be reached by phone at (800) 632-2301, email at SHrequests@franklintempleton.com, and fax at 1-855-891-8377 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Franklin Templeton investment accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Sources
Data sourced from Franklin Templeton primary sources (23 pages reviewed). How we research.
Franklin Templeton Investor Services
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Franklin Templeton accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
More tools for handling this estate
Calculators and checklists for executors and trustees.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
Find out what's fair compensation for serving as trustee. Compare family, professional, and corporate trustee rates based on your situation.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.
