How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Great Plains Life
Covers 2 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be updated by phone
Brand change
Great Plains Life Assurance Company was merged into American Life & Security Corp. on December 1, 2016, per Midwest Holding Inc.'s SEC Form 10-K, and no longer operates as a separate insurer. American Life & Security Corp. ("American Life") in Lincoln, Nebraska services all in-force Great Plains Life policies: 402-489-8266, fax 402-489-8295, 2900 South 70th Street, Suite 400, Lincoln, NE 68506. Original Great Plains Life policy numbers are still valid. American Life's parent, Midwest Holding Inc., was acquired by an affiliate of Antarctica Capital on December 21, 2023. There is no separate American Life & Security Corp. record in this directory yet, so no successorId is set; all contacts on this record are American Life's. Effective December 2016.
The procedures below reflect Great Plains Life's accounts. Account servicing may transfer as the change takes effect.
Great Plains Life
Subsidiary of Antarctica Capital (via Midwest Holding Inc. / American Life & Security Corp.)
american-life.com→American Life & Security Corp. (successor to Great Plains Life)
American Life & Security Corp., 2900 South 70th Street, Suite 400, Lincoln, NE 68506
American Life & Security Corp. (successor to Great Plains Life)
American Life & Security Corp., 2900 South 70th Street, Suite 400, Lincoln, NE 68506
American Life & Security Corp. - Claims
American Life & Security Corp., 2900 South 70th Street, Suite 400, Lincoln, NE 68506
Beneficiary designations are the foundation of estate planning for Great Plains Life policies. Unlike bank accounts, insurance products cannot be retitled into a trust. Instead, the beneficiary designation itself determines who receives the proceeds and how quickly they're paid. Naming a trust as beneficiary is an option when more control over distributions is needed.
The transfer rules at Great Plains Life vary across 2 policies. Below is a breakdown of beneficiary options, trust funding, and which products support each method.
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Policy owner signature is required on every beneficiary change
- If the policy has an irrevocable beneficiary designation, that beneficiary must consent to any change
- The original Great Plains Life policy number remains valid for all servicing requests
- American Life & Security Corp. publishes no policyholder forms on its public site; forms are obtained by phone at 402-489-8266
Sources
Data sourced from Great Plains Life primary sources (13 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Great Plains Life instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Great Plains Life primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Great Plains Life
Subsidiary of Antarctica Capital (via Midwest Holding Inc. / American Life & Security Corp.)
american-life.com→American Life & Security Corp. (successor to Great Plains Life)
American Life & Security Corp., 2900 South 70th Street, Suite 400, Lincoln, NE 68506
American Life & Security Corp. (successor to Great Plains Life)
American Life & Security Corp., 2900 South 70th Street, Suite 400, Lincoln, NE 68506
American Life & Security Corp. - Claims
American Life & Security Corp., 2900 South 70th Street, Suite 400, Lincoln, NE 68506
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Great Plains Life accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
Learn more
Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
Learn more
New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
Learn more
Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreMore estate planning resources
Explore related tools and documents to complete your estate plan.
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.
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.
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.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a will. See document costs plus probate fees your heirs will pay. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys.






