What to do when a Nassau Life account holder dies
Contact Nassau Life — 7-step process, 7 required documents, and payment is usually made within 15 business days of receiving all requirements in good order, or sooner when required by law. delays may occur if additional documentation is needed, the policy is within the contestability period, or the circumstances of death require further investigation.
Nassau Service Center
Phone1-800-541-0171
Mailing Address
Nassau, P.O. Box 22012, Albany, NY 12201-2012
Pyramid Life / Constitution Life Policies
Beneficiary Verification
WebsiteLearn more→
Nassau Service Center
Phone1-800-541-0171
Mailing Address
Nassau, P.O. Box 22012, Albany, NY 12201-2012
Pyramid Life / Constitution Life Policies
Beneficiary Verification
WebsiteLearn more→
Life Insurance Claims
Phone(800) 814-3692
Toll-Free1-800-814-3692
Mailing Address
Nassau, P.O. Box 22012, Albany, NY 12201-2012
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
A death claim on a Nassau Life policy is filed through the Life Insurance Claims ((800) 814-3692). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
Nassau Life provides an online portal for initiating death claims, which can simplify the initial notification and document submission process. Claims can also be started by phone or by mailing the required documents.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Nassau Life works as follows:
Filing a claim
1
Locate the Nassau Life and Annuity policy or annuity contract and note the policy/contract number
2
Obtain certified copies of the death certificate showing cause and manner of death from the local vital records office
3
Initiate the claim:
- Call the Nassau Life Claims line at 1-800-814-3692, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
- Or call the Nassau Service Center at 1-800-541-0171 for annuity contract claims
- After a claim is opened, Nassau will send a personalized claims packet outlining all requirements
4
Complete the Beneficiary Statement form (FG11):
- Provide policy/contract number and deceased information including date and cause of death
- Each beneficiary must complete a separate Beneficiary Statement form
- Include the beneficiary's government-issued identification
5
Gather required documentation:
- Certified death certificate showing cause and manner of death (original required for death benefits over $500,000; copy of certified certificate acceptable for benefits under $500,000)
- Completed Beneficiary Statement form (FG11)
- Copy of the insurance policy or annuity contract (if available; not required but helpful)
- Government-issued identification for the beneficiary
- If a trust is the beneficiary, Certification and Acknowledgement of Trust Agreement for Death Claim Settlement and trustee identification
- If an estate representative is filing, letters testamentary or letters of administration
6
Funeral home assignment (if applicable):
- Life insurance benefits can be paid directly to a funeral home if the beneficiary executes an assignment of proceeds form
- The assignment form must include the beneficiary's signature, all applicable policy numbers, and the specific dollar amount being assigned
7
Mail completed claim package to: Nassau, P.O. Box 22012, Albany, NY 12201-2012; or overnight to: Nassau, 15 Tech Valley Drive, Suite 201, East Greenbush, NY 12061-4142
Required Documents
- Completed Beneficiary Statement form (FG11)
- Certified death certificate showing cause and manner of death (original for benefits over $500,000)
- Copy of insurance policy or annuity contract (if available)
- Government-issued identification for the beneficiary
- Policy or contract number and deceased's information
- Certification and Acknowledgement of Trust Agreement for Death Claim Settlement (if trust is beneficiary)
- Letters testamentary or letters of administration (if estate representative is filing)
Beneficiaries have the option to receive claim proceeds as a lump sum or in the form of a Concierge Account, an interest-bearing account with free check-writing privileges that earns interest daily and guarantees the safety of the principal. For annuity death claims, the death benefit is equal to the greater of the contract value or the total guaranteed value as of the date of death. If the owner dies on or after the contract maturity date, any remaining annuity payments are paid to the beneficiary under the payment option in effect at the date of death.
How long the process takes at Nassau Life: Payment is usually made within 15 business days of receiving all requirements in good order, or sooner when required by law. Delays may occur if additional documentation is needed, the policy is within the contestability period, or the circumstances of death require further investigation. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Nassau Life requires several documents to process a claim, including Completed Beneficiary Statement form (FG11), Certified death certificate showing cause and manner of death (original for benefits over $500,000), and Copy of insurance policy or annuity contract (if available), 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
Yes. A Nassau life insurance policy can be assigned to an ILIT through an assignment of ownership form, removing the death benefit from the grantor's taxable estate. Contact the Nassau Service Center at 1-800-541-0171 to request the Assignment of Life Insurance Policy form. Once transferred, the grantor permanently relinquishes all incidents of ownership. Existing policies transferred to an ILIT are subject to a three-year lookback rule under IRC Section 2035. Nassau does not establish ILITs; work with an estate attorney to create one.
When receiving death claim proceeds from Nassau, beneficiaries have the option to receive funds as a lump sum or through a Concierge Account. The Concierge Account is an interest-bearing account that earns interest daily at a specified rate, provides free check-writing privileges, and guarantees the safety of the principal. This allows beneficiaries to take time before making financial decisions while their funds continue to earn interest.
Nassau Life's Life Insurance Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-814-3692 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Nassau Life policies may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Life Insurance Claims to confirm what applies.
Nassau Service Center
Phone1-800-541-0171
Mailing Address
Nassau, P.O. Box 22012, Albany, NY 12201-2012
Pyramid Life / Constitution Life Policies
Beneficiary Verification
WebsiteLearn more→
Nassau Service Center
Phone1-800-541-0171
Mailing Address
Nassau, P.O. Box 22012, Albany, NY 12201-2012
Pyramid Life / Constitution Life Policies
Beneficiary Verification
WebsiteLearn more→
Life Insurance Claims
Phone(800) 814-3692
Toll-Free1-800-814-3692
Mailing Address
Nassau, P.O. Box 22012, Albany, NY 12201-2012
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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