What to do when a Hanscom FCU account holder dies
Contact Hanscom FCU — 4-step process, 5 required documents, and pod and totten trust beneficiaries can access funds upon providing required documentation. non-pod accounts depend on probate timeline.
Phone800-656-4328
Toll-Free800-656-4328
Fax978-952-8535
Mailing Address
Hanscom Federal Credit Union, 25 Porter Road, Suite 100, Littleton, MA 01460-1434
Toll-free fax
After-hours fraud prevention
International fraud line
WebsiteLearn more →
Phone800-656-4328
Toll-Free800-656-4328
Fax978-952-8535
Mailing Address
Hanscom Federal Credit Union, 25 Porter Road, Suite 100, Littleton, MA 01460-1434
Toll-free fax
After-hours fraud prevention
International fraud line
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims
Phone800-656-4328
Toll-Free800-656-4328
Mailing Address
Hanscom Federal Credit Union, 25 Porter Road, Suite 100, Littleton, MA 01460-1434
WebsiteNotify online →
Verified Mar 2026
When a Hanscom FCU member passes away, the Death Claims handles the transition of accounts to beneficiaries or the estate. Accounts with Payable on Death designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate, while solely-owned accounts may require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court.
Hanscom FCU provides an online portal for initiating death claims, which can simplify the initial notification and document submission process. Claims can also be started by phone or by mailing the required documents.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Hanscom FCU:
Filing a claim
1
Contact Hanscom FCU at 800-656-4328 to notify them of the member's passing.
2
Provide basic information about the deceased member (name, account number if known).
3
Follow the process based on account type:
- POD/Totten Trust beneficiaries: provide a certified death certificate and valid photo ID to receive funds without probate
- Joint account holders: the account continues in the surviving owner's name; provide a certified death certificate
- IRA accounts: contact Hanscom FCU to discuss distribution to the designated beneficiary
- Accounts without beneficiaries: a court-appointed representative must provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- Trust accounts: the successor trustee must provide a certified death certificate, trust documentation, and valid ID
4
Submit documents to Hanscom FCU:
- In person at any branch location
- By mail to the Littleton, MA headquarters
Required Documents
- Certified copy of death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for claimant
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD/trust designation)
- Trust documents and successor trustee documentation (if trust account)
- Small Estate Affidavit (for qualifying small estates)
Joint account holders retain full access to the account. POD beneficiaries and Totten Trust beneficiaries can receive funds without probate upon providing a certified death certificate and valid ID. Government overpayments received after date of death are returned to the issuing agency. NCUA insures accounts up to $250,000 per ownership category.
Processing timelines at Hanscom FCU: POD and Totten Trust beneficiaries can access funds upon providing required documentation. Non-POD accounts depend on probate timeline.. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
Hanscom FCU requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of death certificate, Valid government-issued photo ID for claimant, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD/trust designation), and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Trusts can be named as POD (Payable on Death) beneficiaries on Hanscom FCU deposit accounts. When completing the beneficiary designation form, provide the trust name, date the trust was established, and the trust EIN. You can also open a formal trust account by providing a Certification of Trust and completing the trust account agreement.
A Totten Trust is a simple way to designate a beneficiary on a deposit account at Hanscom FCU. You fill out a form at the credit union specifying a beneficiary, sign it, and the account becomes payable to that beneficiary upon your passing. Note that Hanscom FCU will not automatically notify the beneficiary, so you should let your designated beneficiary know about the account.
Contact Hanscom FCU at 800-656-4328 during business hours (Monday-Friday 8 AM - 6 PM ET, Saturday 9 AM - 3 PM ET). You will need to provide a certified copy of the death certificate and valid government-issued photo ID. POD and Totten Trust beneficiaries can access funds without probate. Joint account holders retain full access.
IRA accounts have their own separate beneficiary designations. Contact Hanscom FCU at 800-656-4328 to discuss distribution of IRA assets to the designated beneficiary. IRA beneficiaries do not need to wait for probate. Traditional and Roth IRA accounts are NCUA-insured separately up to $250,000 in aggregate.
Hanscom FCU's Death Claims can be reached by phone at 800-656-4328 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Hanscom FCU accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Death Claims can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Phone800-656-4328
Toll-Free800-656-4328
Fax978-952-8535
Mailing Address
Hanscom Federal Credit Union, 25 Porter Road, Suite 100, Littleton, MA 01460-1434
Toll-free fax
After-hours fraud prevention
International fraud line
WebsiteLearn more →
Phone800-656-4328
Toll-Free800-656-4328
Fax978-952-8535
Mailing Address
Hanscom Federal Credit Union, 25 Porter Road, Suite 100, Littleton, MA 01460-1434
Toll-free fax
After-hours fraud prevention
International fraud line
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims
Phone800-656-4328
Toll-Free800-656-4328
Mailing Address
Hanscom Federal Credit Union, 25 Porter Road, Suite 100, Littleton, MA 01460-1434
WebsiteNotify online →
Verified Mar 2026
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Calculators and checklists to help navigate estate settlement after a Hanscom FCU account holder passes away.
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