How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Kemper
Covers 6 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Kemper Life Customer Service
Kemper Life Insurance Services, 1350 Timberlake Manor Parkway, Suite 200, Chesterfield, MO 63017-6039
Kemper Life Customer Service (policy changes, ownership assignment, beneficiary updates)
Kemper Life Insurance Services, 1350 Timberlake Manor Parkway, Suite 200, Chesterfield, MO 63017-6039
Kemper Life Insurance Services - Life Claims
Kemper Life Insurance Services, 12115 Lackland Rd, St. Louis, MO 63146 (fax or email preferred over mail)
Estate planning with Kemper policies centers on beneficiary designations—the single most important step for ensuring life insurance proceeds and annuity benefits reach the intended recipients without probate involvement. Unlike bank or brokerage accounts, insurance products are not retitled into trusts; instead, trusts are named as beneficiaries when estate tax planning or controlled distributions are needed.
Kemper offers 6 policies, each with its own transfer rules. The sections below cover how to set up beneficiaries, fund a trust, and which products support each approach.
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Beneficiary change must be submitted to the Home Office while the insured is alive and the policy is in force
- An irrevocable beneficiary designation cannot be changed without the prior written consent of that beneficiary
- If no named beneficiary survives the insured, Form C-0013 states the proceeds are payable to the insured's estate (and therefore pass through probate)
- To name a trust as beneficiary, a copy of the trust agreement must be provided
- Required beneficiary information: full legal name, relationship to insured, date of birth, Social Security Number, and mailing address
- One Form C-0013 per policy number
- If a funeral home is named as beneficiary, the death benefit payable to the funeral home is limited under the terms printed on Form C-0013
Sources
Data sourced from Kemper primary sources (18 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Kemper instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Kemper primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Kemper Life Customer Service
Kemper Life Insurance Services, 1350 Timberlake Manor Parkway, Suite 200, Chesterfield, MO 63017-6039
Kemper Life Customer Service (policy changes, ownership assignment, beneficiary updates)
Kemper Life Insurance Services, 1350 Timberlake Manor Parkway, Suite 200, Chesterfield, MO 63017-6039
Kemper Life Insurance Services - Life Claims
Kemper Life Insurance Services, 12115 Lackland Rd, St. Louis, MO 63146 (fax or email preferred over mail)
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Kemper 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.
