What to do when a Franklin Templeton account holder dies
Report the death to Franklin Templeton's Customer Service at 1-800-632-2301
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 Customer Service (1-800-632-2301) to access and distribute the funds.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Franklin Templeton requires:
Filing a claim
- FTIOS retirement accounts: (800) 527-2020
- Non-retirement accounts, sole, joint, trust or TOD: (800) 632-2301
- Putnam Investments accounts: (800) 225-1581, or (800) 662-0019 for a Putnam IRA
- Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan: (866) 362-1597, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET
- Sole non-retirement account, probated estate: GOF-NCO Sections 2A and 3B, signed by the executors
- Sole non-retirement account under small estate administration: the Shareholder Request Form (GOF-FREQ) signed by each heir, notarized, and an Account Application (GOF-APP) for each heir
- Joint account where one owner died: GOF-NCO Sections 2C and 3A, signed by the surviving owners, plus GOF-FTOD if the account has TOD beneficiaries
- Account passing to TOD beneficiaries: GOF-NCO Sections 2B and 3A. Each beneficiary completes their own form
- Trust account after a trustee died: GOF-NCO Sections 2A and 3B, signed by the successor trustees
- FTIOS retirement accounts: RRET-FBDST, a separate form for each beneficiary
- Putnam IRAs: IRABD-FORM. Putnam TOD accounts: TODBC-FORM. Each beneficiary returns a separate form
- 529 accounts: ESNJA-TDD, one for each new account owner or custodian
- Surviving spouse: the death certificate and RRET-FBDST signed by the spouse
- Non-spouse individual: the death certificate and RRET-FBDST with the beneficiary's signature guaranteed
- Estate: the death certificate, the estate's taxpayer identification number, letters testamentary or of administration dated within the last 180 days, and RRET-FBDST signed by the executors
- Trust: the death certificate, the trust's taxpayer identification number, its title, signature, trustee and successor trustee pages, and RRET-FBDST signed by the trustees
- Charity or other entity: the death certificate, its taxpayer identification number, articles of incorporation, and a corporate resolution naming the authorized signers
- Franklin Templeton says to ask the agency of the state where the owner lived whether an Inheritance Tax Waiver is required.
- GOF-NCO, transfer to a probated estate: the executors' signatures guaranteed, except where the deceased owner's shares transfer to the estate only
- GOF-NCO, removing a deceased joint owner: the surviving owners' signatures guaranteed, except where the shares pass only to the surviving joint owners
- GOF-NCO, transfer to TOD beneficiaries: each beneficiary's signature guaranteed
- GOF-NCO, trust after a trustee's death: notarized where the assets go to the successor trustees only; guaranteed where shares are sold or re-registered, or the account is worth $250,000 or more
- GOF-NCO, trust: neither is required where the assets remain under the original trust and the surviving trustee is the successor trustee
- RRET-FBDST: a guarantee where the redemption is over $250,000 per fund account, or a transfer to an outside custodian is $100,000 or more per fund account
- RRET-FBDST otherwise: a notary stamp from a financial institution, broker-dealer or attorney's office, a photocopy of the notary's business card, and a photocopy of a photo ID
- RRET-FBDST, surviving spouse: neither where the assets are under $100,000 per account, move to the spouse's account at Franklin Templeton, and are paid at the Section 2 address
- Non-retirement (GOF) forms: Franklin Templeton, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
- Retirement (RRET) forms: Franklin Templeton, P.O. Box 33033, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8033
- Overnight for either: Franklin Templeton, 100 Fountain Parkway N., St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1205
- Putnam forms (IRABD-FORM, TODBC-FORM): Putnam Investments, PO Box 219697, Kansas City, MO 64121-9697 (express: 801 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 219697, Kansas City, MO 64105-1307)
- 529 forms (ESNJA-TDD): Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan, PO Box 55961, Boston, MA 02205 (overnight: 95 Wells Ave Suite 160, Newton, MA 02459)
- (800) 632-2301 for Franklin Templeton funds, Monday to Friday 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT
- (800) 527-2020 for FTIOS retirement accounts
- (800) 662-0019 for Putnam IRAs
- (800) 225-1581 for Putnam Investments accounts
- (866) 362-1597 for the Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET; (877) 465-2378 for NJBEST
- (866) 821-7519 for a reference ID to include when emailing a form, if you have not been registered on franklintempleton.com for at least 15 calendar days
- GOF-NCO for non-retirement sole, joint, TOD and trust accounts (mail to P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL)
- RRET-FBDST for FTIOS retirement accounts (mail to P.O. Box 33033, St. Petersburg, FL)
- IRABD-FORM for Putnam IRAs and TODBC-FORM for Putnam TOD accounts (mail to Kansas City, MO)
- ESNJA-TDD for 529 accounts (mail to Boston, MA)
Required Documents
- Death certificateFranklin Templeton asks for a copy of the death certificate for every account type.
- Photocopy of the certified death certificate, on an FTIOS retirement claim (RRET-FBDST)
- Certified copy of the death certificate, on a Putnam IRA or Putnam TOD claimIt must be provided or already on file at Putnam before any transaction can be completed. A certified copy is also needed for any deceased beneficiary.
- Signature guarantee, where the form requires oneFrom a bank, savings and loan association, credit union, trust company, securities broker-dealer or other eligible guarantor institution. A notarized signature is not accepted in its place.
- Signature or medallion guarantee stamp, on a Putnam TOD claim (TODBC-FORM), in all casesThe stamp should not be dated. A dated guarantee is valid only for that date.
- Photocopy of a valid driver's license or government-issued ID, on RRET-FBDST, where a notary stamp is used in place of a signature guaranteeIt must show the picture and text of the ID.
- Letters Testamentary, for a probated estate, or an estate named as beneficiary of an FTIOS retirement accountDated by the court within the last 180 days and naming the executors.
- Letters of administration or letters testamentary with the court clerk's certification, for a probated estate that is the beneficiary of a Putnam IRAThey must bear the original certification from the issuing court clerk within 120 days.
- Small Estate document, for a sole non-retirement account where the estate is under small estate administrationSigned and executed under the small estate laws of the deceased owner's state of legal residence, with a notarized Shareholder Request Form and an Account Application from each heir.
- Taxpayer identification number of the estate, trust or charity, for an estate, trust or charity named as beneficiary of an FTIOS retirement account
- Title, signature, trustee and successor trustee pages of the trust document, for a trust account after a trustee died, or a trust named as beneficiary of a retirement account
- Articles of incorporation and a corporate resolution, for a charity or other entity named as beneficiary of a retirement accountThe resolution gives the names of the authorized signers with the corporate seal; if there is no seal, the resolution says so in writing.
- Inheritance Tax Waiver or Consent to Transfer, where the deceased owner legally resided in Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island or TennesseeFranklin Templeton says a copy may be required on a non-retirement account.
- Executor documents, or the 529 beneficiary's birth certificate or guardian papers, for a 529 account with no Successor Account Owner/Custodian on fileExecutor of estate documentation, the beneficiary's birth certificate if 18 or older, or for a beneficiary under 18, proof of parent or legal guardianship (birth certificate, adoption or guardianship paperwork).
Forms Franklin Templeton issues10
- Non-Retirement Change of Ownership Form (GOF-NCO)
Completed by the executors, surviving owners, each TOD beneficiary or the successor trustees. Available to download.1
- Shareholder Request Form (GOF-FREQ)
Completed by each heir, for a small estate. Available to download. Must be notarized.2
- Account Application (GOF-APP)
Completed by each heir, for a small estate. Available to download.2
- Transfer on Death Registration Form (GOF-FTOD)
Completed by the surviving and any new owners of a joint account that has TOD beneficiaries. Available to download.2
- Beneficiary Transfer/Distribution Request Form (RRET-FBDST)
Completed by each beneficiary, or each executor, trustee or authorized signer for an estate, trust or entity. Available to download.3
- Putnam IRA Beneficiary Distribution Form (IRABD-FORM)
Completed by each beneficiary of a Putnam IRA. Available to download.4
- Putnam TOD Beneficiary Claim Form (TODBC-FORM)
Completed by each TOD beneficiary of a Putnam account. Available to download.5
- 529 Transfer Due to Death of Account Owner Form (ESNJA-TDD)
Completed by each new account owner or custodian. Available to download.6
- Notification of a Lost Share Certificate/Returning an Outstanding Share Certificate (LSCD-FORM)
Available to download.7
- Outstanding Check Form (GOF-FOCF)
Available to download.8
What happens to each kind of account6
- Account in one name
When a sole owner dies and the estate is being probated, the account can be transferred to the estate.2
When the estate is not being probated and is subject to small estate administration under the laws of the owner's state of legal residence, the account can be re-registered to the heirs.2
- Joint account with survivorship
When a joint tenant dies, the account is updated to remove the deceased tenant's name. Existing TOD beneficiaries stay on when the surviving owners also sign a Transfer on Death Registration Form.2
- Trust account
When a trustee dies, the account is transferred to the successor trustees.2
- Payable-on-death account
Where a TOD designation has pre-designated percentages, the assets transfer in those percentages. Without them, Franklin Templeton requires consistent instructions from the beneficiaries on how to divide the shares.2
If no TOD beneficiary survives the owner or the last surviving joint tenant, the shares pass to that owner's estate. Franklin Templeton has no obligation to contact the beneficiaries.9
On a Putnam TOD account, a transfer due to the death of all owners cannot be completed until at least 30 days have passed since the final owner's date of death.5
- IRA
For a surviving spouse, the funds move out of the owner's account into an Inherited IRA, or are rolled over into an IRA or Roth IRA, once all the paperwork is received in good order.2
A beneficiary account registered to the participant for the benefit of the beneficiary may be created for tax reporting. The beneficiary can name their own beneficiary on that account.3
If no designated beneficiary survives the owner, or none is designated, the beneficiary is the owner's spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, the owner's estate.10
- 529 plan
Where a Successor Account Owner/Custodian is on file, that person requests the transfer. A new owner without a Franklin Templeton 529 account for the beneficiary must establish one.6
Accounts handled elsewhere5
- Franklin Templeton Retirement Services
FTIOS-custodied retirement accounts3
Phone: 1-800-527-2020
Mailing address: Franklin Templeton, P.O. Box 33033, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8033
- Putnam Investments
Putnam mutual fund accounts, including TOD accounts5
Phone: 1-800-225-1581
Mailing address: Putnam Investments, PO Box 219697, Kansas City, MO 64121-9697 (express: 801 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 219697, Kansas City, MO 64105-1307)
- Putnam Investments (IRAs)
Putnam IRAs4
Phone: 1-800-662-0019
Mailing address: Putnam Investments, PO Box 219697, Kansas City, MO 64121-9697 (overnight: 801 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 219697, Kansas City, MO 64105-1307)
- Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan
529 accounts6
Phone: 1-866-362-1597
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-8:00 PM ET
Mailing address: Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan, PO Box 55961, Boston, MA 02205 (overnight: 95 Wells Ave Suite 160, Newton, MA 02459)
- NJBEST
NJBEST 529 accounts11
Phone: 1-877-465-2378
What Franklin Templeton's agreement and guidance say7
- Wills, probate and small estates
Franklin Templeton says "we do not require a copy of any will for any account type," and repeats "we do not review or require a copy of the will" under several account types.2
- What it does when notified
When the death is reported by phone, Franklin Templeton discusses "the appropriate protections to place on the account."2
If the IRA custodian cannot find a beneficiary after being told of the death, it may engage an outside search company, which may charge the beneficiary a percentage of the account's value.10
- Payment to a minor or incapacitated beneficiary
Where an IRA is payable to a minor or a person under a legal disability, the custodian may pay a parent, a guardian or conservator, a UGMA/UTMA account, a person with custody, or the person directly.10
- Disputes between claimants
If there is any question about a TOD designation, Franklin Templeton may ask all designated beneficiaries for non-conflicting instructions on the shares.9
- What it says about taxes
Franklin Templeton says moving the shares into a retirement beneficiary account is not a reportable transaction. Distributions from the beneficiary account are reportable to the beneficiary.3
- Fees
Unless the annual maintenance fee has already been paid, it is charged when a retirement fund-account is closed.3
On a Putnam TOD claim, a $20 service charge applies to a check sent by overnight or express delivery.5
- Accounts from a merged institution
Franklin Templeton completed its acquisition of Putnam Investments on January 1, 2024.12
Not in Franklin Templeton's published guidance1
- How long a claim takes, for investment accounts
Sources12
- 1.Non-Retirement Change of Ownership Form, GOF-NCO-0826
- 2.Franklin Templeton Account Services Support, "Transfers due to passing"
- 3.Beneficiary Transfer/Distribution Request Form, RRET-FBDST-0926
- 4.IRA Beneficiary distribution form (Putnam Investments), IRABD-FORM FM313N 06/26
- 5.TOD Beneficiary claim guide and claim form (Putnam Investments), TODBC-FORM FM532 01/25
- 6.Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan Transfer Due to Death of Account Owner Form, ES_NJA_TDD_111225
- 7.Notification of a Lost Share Certificate/Returning an Outstanding Share Certificate, LSCD-FORM-1225
- 8.Outstanding Check Form, GOF-FOCF-0226
- 9.Transfer on Death Registration Form, GOF-FTOD-0925
- 10.Franklin Templeton IRA Custodial Agreements and Disclosure Statements, RIRA-DSBK-0126
- 11.Contact Us
- 12.Franklin Templeton Completes Acquisition of Putnam Investments, January 2, 2024
IRA distribution requests received in good order are made to a beneficiary or successor custodian "normally within five (5) business days."
Franklin Templeton's Customer Service can be reached by phone at 1-800-632-2301, email at shrequests.us.franklintempleton@fisglobal.com, and fax at 1-855-891-8377 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Franklin Templeton primary sources (16 pages reviewed). How we research.
Franklin Templeton death claims support
Customer Service
Phone
Franklin Templeton (FTIOS) Retirement Accounts
Putnam IRAs
Putnam Mutual Fund Accounts
Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan
NJBEST 529
Putnam Mailing Address
529 Plan Mailing Address
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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.
Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Open probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Notify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.
Renunciation of Executor
Decline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.
Small Estate Affidavit
Collect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need and see ordering info for your state.
Do I Need Probate?
Find out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Find out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.
