How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at ManhattanLife
Covers 9 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Life Customer Service
ManhattanLife Life Customer Service, P.O. Box 925068, Houston, TX 77292-5068
Policyholder Services (beneficiary changes, ownership changes, trust certifications)
Policyholder Services, P.O. Box 925989, Houston, TX 77292
Claims Department (individual life)
Manhattan Life Insurance Company, Claims Department, P.O. Box 925309, Houston, TX 77292-5309
Beneficiary designations are the foundation of estate planning for ManhattanLife policies. Unlike bank accounts, insurance products cannot be retitled into a trust. Instead, the beneficiary designation itself determines who receives the proceeds and how quickly they're paid. Naming a trust as beneficiary is an option when more control over distributions is needed.
Each of ManhattanLife's 9 policies has different rules for how it transfers at death. The sections below explain the options for each.
- Check the box for the issuing company (ManhattanLife Insurance and Annuity Company, Manhattan Life, Family Life, or Western United Life)
- Enter the policy number and the name of the insured
- List primary and contingent beneficiaries with name, percent, date of birth, relationship, address, and Social Security Number
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Only the legal owner of the policy may change a beneficiary designation
- The new designation cancels all prior beneficiary and settlement designations under the policy
- The change takes effect on the date the Home Office approves it, or the effective date stated in the policy — not the date you sign. Once approved it is valid whether or not the insured is living at the time of approval
- Community property states (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI): the owner's spouse or former spouse must sign the Community Property Release, and a witness must sign as well. To claim the policy is not subject to community property law, state the reason and attach supporting documentation such as a divorce decree or death certificate
- Irrevocable beneficiaries: checking the "Irrevocable" box means that beneficiary's witnessed signature is required for every future beneficiary change, including removing them. If a current beneficiary is already irrevocable, you must obtain their signature to change anything
- Naming a trust: mark the relationship as "trustee," indicate whether the trust is created by the insured's will or is an existing inter vivos (living) trust, and provide a copy
- Testamentary trusts carry a deadline: if no will naming the trustee is admitted to probate within 90 days of the insured's death, or the named trustee does not qualify within one year of death, the proceeds are paid to the second beneficiary if living, otherwise to the insured's estate
- Payments to a minor beneficiary are made to the legally appointed guardian of the minor's estate unless otherwise permitted by law
- If the change is due to divorce, attach a copy of the divorce decree; if due to a beneficiary's death, attach a copy of the death certificate
- Payment of proceeds is subject to the interest of any assignee whose assignment is on file at the Home Office
- Do not submit the policy with the form unless requested
Sources
Data sourced from ManhattanLife primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these ManhattanLife instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against ManhattanLife primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Life Customer Service
ManhattanLife Life Customer Service, P.O. Box 925068, Houston, TX 77292-5068
Policyholder Services (beneficiary changes, ownership changes, trust certifications)
Policyholder Services, P.O. Box 925989, Houston, TX 77292
Claims Department (individual life)
Manhattan Life Insurance Company, Claims Department, P.O. Box 925309, Houston, TX 77292-5309
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