How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Global Atlantic
Covers 14 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Customer Service
Preneed & Final Expense Customer Service
Forethought Life Insurance Company, PO Box 151, Batesville, IN 47006
Life Insurance Claims (Accordia Life and Annuity Company / First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company)
Accordia Life and Annuity Company, P.O. Box 637, Jacksonville, IL 62651-0637 (life claims -- same P.O. Box for First Allmerica). Annuity death claims: Forethought Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 758507, Topeka, KS 66675-8507. Preneed claims: Forethought Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 216, Batesville, IN 47006.
Estate planning with Global Atlantic policies centers on beneficiary designations—the single most important step for ensuring life insurance proceeds and annuity benefits reach the intended recipients without probate involvement. Unlike bank or brokerage accounts, insurance products are not retitled into trusts; instead, trusts are named as beneficiaries when estate tax planning or controlled distributions are needed.
With 14 product types, Global Atlantic offers a range of transfer options. Some policies support beneficiary designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
- Life insurance: Beneficiary Change Request (Form 13977) -- https://www.globalatlantic.com/sites/globalatlantic/files/PDFs/Forms/13977.pdf
- Survivorship life: Beneficiary Change Request for the Indexed Survivorship Universal Life Supplemental Insured Rider (Form 18185) -- https://www.globalatlantic.com/sites/globalatlantic/files/PDFs/Forms/18185.pdf
- More beneficiaries than the form has room for: Additional Beneficiaries Supplement to Beneficiary Change Request (Form 17963) -- https://www.globalatlantic.com/sites/globalatlantic/files/PDFs/Forms/17963.pdf
- Annuity contracts: Change of Beneficiary (Form FA5014) -- https://www.globalatlanticannuity.com/ProductDocs/FFG/Forms/FA5014-03%20(11-16)%20-%20Change%20of%20Beneficiary%20Form%20(Rebrand).pdf
- Provide primary and contingent beneficiary information including full legal names, dates of birth, relationships, Social Security numbers, and percentage allocations
- For trusts: provide the full trust name, trust date, trustee name(s), and TIN; submit a copy of the trust document for the company's file
- Life insurance (Forms 13977 / 18185 / 17963): Accordia Life and Annuity Company, PO Box 305027, Nashville, TN 37230-5027; or fax to 800-351-0603. Questions: Customer Contact Center 877-462-8992
- Annuities (Form FA5014): Forethought Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 758507, Topeka, KS 66675-8507 (express: Mail Zone 507, 5801 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66636); or fax to 785-286-6104 if your signature is already on file. Questions: Annuity Service Center 866-645-2449
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Trusts can be named as beneficiaries on both life insurance and annuity products; a copy of the trust must be submitted for the company's file
- Annuities: if the contract OWNER is a trust, Form FA5014 requires the trust to be listed as the beneficiary, and the title and signature pages of the trust agreement -- or the Trustee Certification and Indemnity form (Form FA5150) -- must be on file with Forethought
- Annuities: a beneficiary change will NOT be processed if the annuity is owned by a custodian (for example, a custodial IRA). Contact the custodian directly
- Annuity forms may be faxed to 785-286-6104 only if the owner's signature is already on file with Forethought
- If a corporate entity is the beneficiary, a recent Corporate Resolution must be submitted unless already on file
- Primary and contingent beneficiary percentage allocations must each total 100%
- Additional beneficiary forms are available if more space is needed (Form 17963 for life; Form 18185 for the survivorship UL rider)
- Beneficiary designations override instructions in a will
- Spousal consent may be required in community property states
Sources
- globalatlantic.com
- globalatlanticannuity.com
- preneed.globalatlantic.com
- professionals.globalatlantic.com
- mygalife.globalatlantic.com
Data sourced from Global Atlantic primary sources (28 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Global Atlantic instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Global Atlantic primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Customer Service
Preneed & Final Expense Customer Service
Forethought Life Insurance Company, PO Box 151, Batesville, IN 47006
Life Insurance Claims (Accordia Life and Annuity Company / First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company)
Accordia Life and Annuity Company, P.O. Box 637, Jacksonville, IL 62651-0637 (life claims -- same P.O. Box for First Allmerica). Annuity death claims: Forethought Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 758507, Topeka, KS 66675-8507. Preneed claims: Forethought Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 216, Batesville, IN 47006.
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