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OverviewPreparing your estateWhen someone dies
OverviewPreparing your estateWhen someone dies
SimplyTrust forms
Letter of Instruction
Home→Financial Institutions→Franklin Templeton→Preparing your estate

How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Franklin Templeton

Covers 4 investment, and 5 retirement accounts — beneficiaries can be updated by phone

Franklin Templeton

Subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

franklintempleton.com→
Franklin Templeton logo

Franklin Templeton Investor Services

Phone(800) 632-2301
EmailSHrequests@franklintempleton.com
Fax1-855-891-8377
Mailing Address

Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030

Retirement Account Services
(800) 527-2020
WebsiteLearn more→

Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support

Phone(800) 632-2301
Fax1-855-891-8377
Mailing Address

Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030

Retirement Account Services
(800) 527-2020
West Coast Mailing (alternative)
P.O. Box 997152, Sacramento, CA 95899-7152
WebsiteLearn more→

Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support

Phone(800) 632-2301
EmailSHrequests@franklintempleton.com
Fax1-855-891-8377
Mailing Address

Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030

Franklin Templeton (FTIOS) Retirement Accounts
(800) 527-2020
Putnam IRA Decedent Claims (PFTC)
1-800-662-0019
Putnam Mutual Fund Decedent Claims
1-800-225-1581
Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan
(866) 362-1597
Putnam Mailing Address
P.O. Box 219697, Kansas City, MO 64121-9697
529 Plan Mailing Address
P.O. Box 55961, Boston, MA 02205
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026

Preparing your Franklin Templeton investment accounts for estate transfer involves two primary strategies: designating beneficiaries on individual accounts and, where supported, retitling accounts into a revocable living trust. Both approaches bypass probate, but they work differently depending on the account type.

The transfer rules at Franklin Templeton vary across 9 investment accounts. Below is a breakdown of beneficiary options, trust funding, and which products support each method.

Mutual FundsExchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs)529 College Savings Plan
1
Call Franklin Templeton Investor Services:
  • (800) 527-2020 for retirement accounts
  • (800) 632-2301 for general account services
2
Request the appropriate beneficiary designation form for your account type
3
A representative can walk you through form requirements and mailing instructions
4
Complete and return the form by email, fax, or mail as instructed

Required Documents

  • Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)

Special Requirements

  • Email submissions must come from an email address on file with Franklin Templeton that has not changed within the last 15 days
  • When naming a trust as an IRA beneficiary, a copy of the trust agreement pages (title page, trustee designation page, and signature page) must be included
  • The TOD Registration Form cannot be used for IRA or other retirement plan accounts -- use the Designation of Beneficiary Form (RRET-FBEN) instead
  • Community property state residents designating a non-spouse IRA beneficiary may require spousal consent
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 7, 2026

Sources

  • franklintempleton.com

Data sourced from Franklin Templeton primary sources (23 pages reviewed). How we research.

Download these Franklin Templeton instructions

Download instructions for the whole estate→

A printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Franklin Templeton primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.

Franklin Templeton

Subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

franklintempleton.com→
Franklin Templeton logo

Franklin Templeton Investor Services

Phone(800) 632-2301
EmailSHrequests@franklintempleton.com
Fax1-855-891-8377
Mailing Address

Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030

Retirement Account Services
(800) 527-2020
WebsiteLearn more→

Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support

Phone(800) 632-2301
Fax1-855-891-8377
Mailing Address

Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030

Retirement Account Services
(800) 527-2020
West Coast Mailing (alternative)
P.O. Box 997152, Sacramento, CA 95899-7152
WebsiteLearn more→

Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support

Phone(800) 632-2301
EmailSHrequests@franklintempleton.com
Fax1-855-891-8377
Mailing Address

Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030

Franklin Templeton (FTIOS) Retirement Accounts
(800) 527-2020
Putnam IRA Decedent Claims (PFTC)
1-800-662-0019
Putnam Mutual Fund Decedent Claims
1-800-225-1581
Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan
(866) 362-1597
Putnam Mailing Address
P.O. Box 219697, Kansas City, MO 64121-9697
529 Plan Mailing Address
P.O. Box 55961, Boston, MA 02205
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026

Estate planning articles

Learn how to protect your Franklin Templeton accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.

When you're ready, we're here.

A revocable living trust skips probate, stays private, and takes 15 minutes.

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Estate planning articles

Learn how to protect your Franklin Templeton accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.

Reimbursable Trustee Expenses: A Clear Overview

Reimbursable Trustee Expenses: A Clear Overview

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Dave Ramsey on Trusts: What We Agree and Disagree On

Dave Ramsey on Trusts: What We Agree and Disagree On

Dave Ramsey on trusts: any estate plan at all is a good thing. We agree about that. There's one thing we don't agree with him about on trusts, though.
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Jean Chatzky on Estate Planning: It’s a Gift

On estate planning, Jean Chatzky's most important reframe may be the simplest one. She says estate planning isn’t about your passing, it’s about your love for family.
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SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJuly 6, 2026
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Robert Kiyosaki on Trusts: A Structural Necessity

According to Robert Kiyosaki, trusts are a necessity for everyone, not only the wealthy.
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Ramit Sethi on Estate Planning: Start With a Living Trust

Ramit Sethi on estate planning: start with a living trust and have regular conversations with your heirs about how to manage finances when the trust becomes active.
Trusts
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