What to do when a Granite State CU account holder dies
Contact Granite State CU — 5-step process, 5 required documents, and pod and joint accounts processed within days of document verification; non-pod accounts vary based on probate requirements and new hampshire or applicable state law
Member Services
Phone1-800-645-4728
Emailmembers@gscu.org
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 6420, Manchester, NH 03108-6420
Lost/Stolen Card (after hours)
WebsiteLearn more→
Member Services
Phone1-800-645-4728
Emailmembers@gscu.org
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 6420, Manchester, NH 03108-6420
Lost/Stolen Card (after hours)
WebsiteLearn more→
Member Services (Death Claims)
Phone1-800-645-4728
Toll-Free1-800-645-4728
Emailmembers@gscu.org
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 6420, Manchester, NH 03108-6420
Verified May 2026
After a Granite State CU member dies, the Member Services (Death Claims) manages the transfer of accounts. POD-designated and trust-owned accounts pass directly to beneficiaries. Accounts held solely in the member's name may require probate court documents—Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration—before funds can be released.
Claims can be filed by phone (1-800-645-4728) or by emailing documentation to members@gscu.org. Before reaching out, gather the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Granite State CU requires:
Filing a claim
1
Contact Granite State Credit Union at (800) 645-4728 or visit any branch to report the death of a member
2
A member service representative will review the deceased member's accounts and ownership structures
3
Provide required identification:
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the claimant
4
Settlement varies by account type:
- POD accounts: funds distributed directly to named beneficiaries upon verification of death certificate and ID
- Joint accounts with right of survivorship: surviving owner retains full ownership of the account
- Accounts without POD or joint ownership: Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration required
- IRA accounts: beneficiary designation on file determines distribution; beneficiaries must provide ID and complete distribution election forms
- Trust-titled accounts: successor trustee provides trust documentation and death certificate to assume management
5
The credit union may honor transfer orders, withdrawals, and other transactions on an account until they know of a member's death; may continue to pay checks for 10 days after death unless instructed to stop
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for claimant
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (for accounts without POD, joint ownership, or trust titling)
- Trust documents and successor trustee identification (for trust-titled accounts)
- Order approving Waiver of Administration under RSA 553:32 (for qualifying NH estates - see https://www.courts.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt471/files/documents/2021-07/pamphlet-e-waiverofadministrationinfo.pdf)
Granite State Credit Union does not accept or interpret wills. Beneficiaries being aware of their designation makes the process easier and could mean faster disbursal of funds, as it eliminates GSCU trying to locate or contact the beneficiary. Contact members@gscu.org or call (800) 645-4728 for assistance. New Hampshire repealed its small-estate statute (RSA 553:31) effective January 1, 2006; qualifying estates now use the Waiver of Administration under RSA 553:32 instead.
How long the process takes at Granite State CU: POD and joint accounts processed within days of document verification; non-POD accounts vary based on probate requirements and New Hampshire or applicable state law. 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 Granite State CU includes Certified death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for claimant, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (for accounts without POD, joint ownership, or trust titling), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Visit any GSCU branch or call (800) 645-4728 (24/7) to request a Payable on Death (POD) beneficiary designation form. Provide each beneficiary's full legal name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number; specify percentage allocations for multiple beneficiaries. All account holders must sign the form before returning it by mail to P.O. Box 6420, Manchester, NH 03108-6420 or in person at a branch. POD is available on Free Checking, Savings, Advantage Plus Savings, Money Market, Easy Money Market, and Term-Share Certificate accounts. IRA accounts use a separate beneficiary designation form (POD does not apply). See https://www.gscu.org/frequently-asked-questions/adding-beneficiaries.html.
Call GSCU at (800) 645-4728 (available 24/7) or visit any branch with a certified death certificate and your government-issued photo ID. A member service representative reviews the deceased member's accounts and ownership structures. POD accounts pay directly to named beneficiaries upon document verification; joint accounts with right of survivorship pass to the surviving owner; trust-titled accounts pass to the successor trustee on presentation of trust documents and ID. Accounts with none of those titles require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. GSCU may continue to honor payments for 10 days after notice of death unless instructed to stop.
Yes. Trusts can be named as Payable on Death (POD) beneficiaries on GSCU deposit accounts including Free Checking, Savings, Advantage Plus Savings, Money Market, Easy Money Market, and Term-Share Certificate accounts. Provide the trust name on the POD beneficiary designation form; supporting trust documentation is not required at the designation stage but the successor trustee will need to provide it (or a Certificate of Trust) at the time of claim. IRA accounts have separate beneficiary rules. POD accounts are NCUA-insured separately up to $250,000 per qualifying beneficiary.
Granite State CU's Member Services (Death Claims) can be reached by phone at 1-800-645-4728 and email at members@gscu.org for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Granite State CU accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Member Services (Death Claims) can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Member Services
Phone1-800-645-4728
Emailmembers@gscu.org
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 6420, Manchester, NH 03108-6420
Lost/Stolen Card (after hours)
WebsiteLearn more→
Member Services
Phone1-800-645-4728
Emailmembers@gscu.org
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 6420, Manchester, NH 03108-6420
Lost/Stolen Card (after hours)
WebsiteLearn more→
Member Services (Death Claims)
Phone1-800-645-4728
Toll-Free1-800-645-4728
Emailmembers@gscu.org
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 6420, Manchester, NH 03108-6420
Verified May 2026
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