How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Hightower
Covers 4 investment, and 4 retirement accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Hightower Advisors Main Office
Phone(312) 962-3800
Mailing Address
200 W Madison, 25th Floor, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60606
New York Office
WebsiteLearn more→
Hightower Trust Company, NA
Phone(917) 580-6041
Toll-Free(800) 894-6040
Fax(917) 591-4906
Mailing Address
Hightower Trust Company, NA, 300 Madison Avenue, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10017
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims (via Hightower Advisory Practice)
Phone(312) 962-3800
Mailing Address
200 W Madison, 25th Floor, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60606
Verified May 2026
The key to protecting your Hightower investment accounts is making sure each one has a transfer mechanism in place—either a beneficiary designation or trust ownership. Without one, the account goes through probate, adding time, cost, and court involvement for your family.
Each of Hightower's 8 investment accounts has different rules for how it transfers at death. The sections below explain the options for each.
Hightower Managed Investment AccountHightower Wrap Fee ProgramHightower Trust AdministrationHightower Financial Planning Services
1
Call your Hightower advisory practice directly (contact information available at hightoweradvisors.com/hightower-financial-advisory-practices.html)
2
Or call Hightower main office at (312) 962-3800 to be directed to your advisory team
3
Request beneficiary designation forms for the appropriate account type
4
Your advisor will guide you through completion and submission to the account custodian
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Beneficiary designations are processed through the account custodian (e.g., Schwab, Fidelity, Pershing), not Hightower directly
- Each advisory practice may use different custodians, so forms and processes vary
- Spousal consent may be required for retirement account beneficiary changes in community property states
- Trusts can be named as primary or contingent beneficiaries on most account types
- Review beneficiary designations whenever personal circumstances change (marriage, divorce, birth of a child, death of a beneficiary)
Hightower Advisors Main Office
Phone(312) 962-3800
Mailing Address
200 W Madison, 25th Floor, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60606
New York Office
WebsiteLearn more→
Hightower Trust Company, NA
Phone(917) 580-6041
Toll-Free(800) 894-6040
Fax(917) 591-4906
Mailing Address
Hightower Trust Company, NA, 300 Madison Avenue, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10017
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims (via Hightower Advisory Practice)
Phone(312) 962-3800
Mailing Address
200 W Madison, 25th Floor, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60606
Verified May 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Hightower accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
