How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Merrill
Covers 9 investment, and 5 retirement accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Merrill Edge Client Services
Phone1-888-637-3343
Toll-Free1-855-450-9015
Fax(917) 778-0797
Mailing Address
Merrill Document Processing, PO Box 31024, Tampa, FL 33631-3024
Forms Questions (24/7)
Spanish Language Support
Merrill Lynch Client Services (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm ET)
Benefits & Retirement Accounts (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm ET)
401(k) Customer Service (Mon-Fri 8am-7pm ET)
Merrill Life Services
Phone1-855-450-9015
Fax(917) 778-0797
Mailing Address
Merrill Document Processing, PO Box 31024, Tampa, FL 33631-3024
Forms Questions (24/7)
WebsiteLearn more→
Merrill Life Services - Ownership Transition
Phone1-855-450-9015
Fax(917) 778-0797
Mailing Address
Merrill Document Processing, PO Box 31024, Tampa, FL 33631-3024
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Preparing your Merrill investment accounts for estate transfer involves two primary strategies: designating beneficiaries on individual accounts and, where supported, retitling accounts into a revocable living trust. Both approaches bypass probate, but they work differently depending on the account type.
Across 14 product types, Merrill investment accounts vary in how they transfer at death. The sections below walk through Transfer on Death (TOD) designations, trust funding options, and which products support each method.
Merrill Edge Self-Directed AccountMerrill Guided InvestingMerrill Guided Investing with AdvisorCash Management Account (CMA) - IndividualCMA - Joint with Rights of Survivorship529 College Savings Account (NextGen)Trust Account (CMA for Trusts)Custodial Account (UGMA/UTMA)Estate Account (CMA for Estates)
1
Log in at merrilledge.com
2
Navigate to the beneficiary management section:
- Go to Profile & Settings
- Select the beneficiary management section
- For TOD on brokerage accounts: e-signature available via the forms portal
- For retirement accounts: use the Retirement Beneficiary Designation online portal at merrilledge.com
3
Provide required beneficiary information:
- Beneficiary name, relationship, percentage, SSN, and address
- For trusts: provide trust name, date established, trustee names, and EIN
- Only living trusts (revocable/irrevocable) can be TOD or retirement beneficiaries; testamentary trusts cannot
4
Review and confirm your designations
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- TOD NOT available to residents of Louisiana or Puerto Rico
- Testamentary trusts cannot be TOD or retirement beneficiaries (probate-created trusts)
- Living trusts (revocable/irrevocable) can be named as TOD or retirement beneficiaries
- No contingent or successor beneficiaries on TOD agreements
- If no beneficiary designated, IRA passes to spouse, then estate
- IRAs cannot be retitled to a trust; a trust may be named as beneficiary only
Merrill Edge Client Services
Phone1-888-637-3343
Toll-Free1-855-450-9015
Fax(917) 778-0797
Mailing Address
Merrill Document Processing, PO Box 31024, Tampa, FL 33631-3024
Forms Questions (24/7)
Spanish Language Support
Merrill Lynch Client Services (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm ET)
Benefits & Retirement Accounts (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm ET)
401(k) Customer Service (Mon-Fri 8am-7pm ET)
Merrill Life Services
Phone1-855-450-9015
Fax(917) 778-0797
Mailing Address
Merrill Document Processing, PO Box 31024, Tampa, FL 33631-3024
Forms Questions (24/7)
WebsiteLearn more→
Merrill Life Services - Ownership Transition
Phone1-855-450-9015
Fax(917) 778-0797
Mailing Address
Merrill Document Processing, PO Box 31024, Tampa, FL 33631-3024
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Merrill accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
