What to do when a Milliman account holder dies
Contact Milliman — 3-step process, 7 required documents, and varies by plan type and complexity; contact the benefits service center for plan-specific timelines
Benefits Service Center
Phone1-866-767-1212
Mailing Address
Milliman, 1301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA 98101-2646
WebsiteLearn more→
Benefits Service Center
Phone1-866-767-1212
Mailing Address
Milliman, 1301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA 98101-2646
WebsiteLearn more→
Verified May 2026
When a Milliman account holder passes away, the next step depends on how the retirement accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with Milliman's Benefits Service Center - Death Claims (1-866-767-1212) to access and distribute the funds.
Before contacting Milliman, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready. A certified death certificate is required to initiate the claim.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Milliman:
Filing a claim
1
Report the death to Milliman:
- Contact the Milliman Benefits Service Center at 866-767-1212
- Provide the deceased participant's name, date of birth, and plan information
- Request claim forms and instructions specific to the plan type
2
Gather and submit required documentation:
- Submit a certified death certificate showing cause and manner of death
- Beneficiary completes the claim/distribution form
- For trust beneficiaries: submit Certification of Trust and trust documents
3
Receive distribution:
- Milliman processes distribution per plan document and IRS rules
- Beneficiary selects distribution option (lump sum, rollover, installments, or annuity as available)
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate showing cause and manner of death
- Completed claim/distribution form
- Government-issued ID for beneficiary or trustee
- Certification of Trust or trust documents (if trust is beneficiary)
- Marriage certificate (if spousal beneficiary)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if estate is beneficiary)
- Tax withholding forms as required
Death claim processes are governed by each employer's plan document. Distribution options and timelines vary by plan type (defined benefit vs. defined contribution) and beneficiary status. The Benefits Service Center coordinates claims across all Milliman-administered plans.
Expected timelines at Milliman: Varies by plan type and complexity; contact the Benefits Service Center for plan-specific timelines. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Milliman requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified death certificate showing cause and manner of death, Completed claim/distribution form, and Government-issued ID for beneficiary or trustee, and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
For ERISA-covered qualified plans such as 401(k), 403(b), and defined benefit plans, federal law requires spousal consent if you name someone other than your spouse as primary beneficiary. Your spouse is entitled to at least 50% of death benefits under ERISA plans unless they provide written waiver. Non-ERISA plans (such as governmental 457(b) plans) generally do not require spousal consent under federal law, though state laws may apply.
Milliman's Benefits Service Center - Death Claims can be reached by phone at 1-866-767-1212 and email at contact.center@milliman.com for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Milliman retirement accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Benefits Service Center - Death Claims can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Benefits Service Center
Phone1-866-767-1212
Mailing Address
Milliman, 1301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA 98101-2646
WebsiteLearn more→
Benefits Service Center
Phone1-866-767-1212
Mailing Address
Milliman, 1301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA 98101-2646
WebsiteLearn more→
Verified May 2026
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