How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Human Interest
Covers 7 retirement accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Customer Support
655 Montgomery Street, Suite 1800, San Francisco, CA 94111
Customer Support
655 Montgomery Street, Suite 1800, San Francisco, CA 94111
Who inherits your Human Interest retirement retirement accounts is determined by the beneficiary designation on file—not by your will. This makes keeping designations current one of the most important estate planning steps, especially because the choice of beneficiary also affects how inherited distributions are taxed.
Human Interest offers 7 retirement accounts, each with its own transfer rules. The sections below cover how to set up beneficiaries, fund a trust, and which products support each approach.
- Enter allocation percentages for each beneficiary (must total 100%)
- For trust designations, provide the full legal trust name, trust date, and trustee name
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Spousal consent required for married participants naming a non-spouse as primary beneficiary on ERISA-covered plans (401(k), 403(b))
- Trusts can be named as beneficiaries under standard IRS rules
- Beneficiary designations override wills and other estate planning documents
- Beneficiary changes take effect upon submission through the portal
Sources
Data sourced from Human Interest primary sources (16 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Human Interest instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Human Interest primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Customer Support
655 Montgomery Street, Suite 1800, San Francisco, CA 94111
Customer Support
655 Montgomery Street, Suite 1800, San Francisco, CA 94111
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Human Interest 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.
