Estate planning and settlement at Banner Life
Name beneficiaries online, fund a trust by phone, and report a death at 1-800-638-8428 ext. 6974
Banner Life has changed ownershipAcquired, effective February 2026
Legal & General Group, plc sold its US term life and pension risk transfer businesses to the Meiji Yasuda Group. The transaction closed February 2, 2026 after all regulatory approvals, valued at approximately $2.3 billion, and Banner Life and its subsidiaries are now owned by Meiji Yasuda North America Holdings Inc. On March 31, 2026 the companies rebranded as the "Banner Life family of companies", retiring the Legal & General America umbrella brand. Banner Life Insurance Company and William Penn Life Insurance Company of New York continue operating under those names with unchanged policies, forms, contacts and claims processes; lgamerica.com 301-redirects to bannerlife.com and forms.lgamerica.com still serves every policy-service form.
Banner Life is an insurance company with 3 products relevant to estate planning. Life insurance and annuity proceeds transfer directly to named beneficiaries outside of probate, making beneficiary designations one of the most important estate planning steps for Banner Life policyholders.
Banner Life lets account holders update beneficiary designations online, by phone, and by mail. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to name a trust as the policy beneficiary or establish an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT).
Banner Life provides specific procedures for both proactive estate planning and filing claims after a death.
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to manage beneficiaries online, fund a trust by mail, and review 3 account types at Banner Life.
Preparing your estate →Death claim process
Report the death to Banner Life Claims Department at 1-800-638-8428 ext. 6974. The page lists the steps and the documents to send.
When someone dies →Reach Banner Life's Customer Service at 1-800-346-4773 for help with any of these procedures. Email inquiries can be sent to customerservice@wpenn.com.
Sources
Data sourced from Banner Life primary sources (25 pages reviewed). How we research.
Banner Life customer support
Customer and Administrative Services
Phone
Toll-free
William Penn (New York) Customer Service
William Penn direct
Banner Life Retirement Services
Banner Life Retirement Services direct
William Penn Retirement Services
William Penn Retirement Services direct
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Banner Life accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Forms for Planning Your Estate
Free forms for planning your estate: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Last Will and Testament
Name your heirs, guardians, and final wishes. Free for every state.
Transfer on Death Deed
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate. Available in 34 states and the District of Columbia.
Vehicle Transfer on Death
Name a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle at death without probate. Available in 26 states and the District of Columbia.
Tools for Planning Your Estate
Free tools for planning your estate: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
Compare the cost of probate vs a trust for your state and estate value.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare revocable living trust costs across providers including online services and attorneys.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
Compare will costs across providers plus probate costs your heirs will pay.
How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?
Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.
