What to do when a National Benefit Life account holder dies
Contact National Benefit Life's Policy Maintenance — 6-step process, 7 required documents, and claims are processed on a case-by-case basis after all required documents are received and reviewed. processing times vary depending on the complexity of the claim and completeness of documentation.
Policy Owner Services
Phone1-800-222-2062
Toll-Free1-800-222-2062
Fax(718) 361-3657
Mailing Address
National Benefit Life Insurance Company, One Court Square, Long Island City, NY 11120-0001
Primerica Term Insurance
WebsiteLearn more→
Policy Maintenance
Phone1-800-222-2062
Mailing Address
National Benefit Life Insurance Company, Attn: Policy Owner Services, One Court Square, Long Island City, NY 11120-0001
Claims Department
Phone1-800-222-2062
Toll-Free1-800-222-2062
Fax(718) 361-3656
Mailing Address
National Benefit Life Insurance Company, Attn: Claims Department, One Court Square, Long Island City, NY 11120-0001
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
When an insured person dies, the beneficiary or executor should contact National Benefit Life's Policy Maintenance at 1-800-222-2062 to start the claims process. Insurance proceeds are paid directly to the named beneficiary and do not go through probate. How quickly the claim is processed depends on the policy type, documentation, and cause of death.
Death claims at National Benefit Life can be started through an online portal, which streamlines the initial notification and document upload. Phone and mail options are also available.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what National Benefit Life requires:
Filing a claim
1
Locate the National Benefit Life insurance policy and note the policy number
2
Obtain certified copies of the death certificate from the local vital records office
3
Initiate the claim:
- Call National Benefit Life at 1-800-222-2062 to report the death and open a claim
- A representative will guide you through the process and send a claims packet
4
Complete the Claimant's Statement form (DCL-10):
- Download the New York-specific DCL-10 form from nationalbenefitlife.com/public/nationalbenefitlife/life_ins_forms.html
- Each beneficiary must complete a separate Claimant's Statement form
- Beneficiary must sign and date the form and have their signature notarized
- Anyone can witness the death claim form except a beneficiary
- Provide the policy number, deceased's information, and date and cause of death
5
Gather required documentation:
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Completed Claimant's Statement form DCL-10 (one per beneficiary)
- Original policy contract (if available)
- Government-issued identification for the beneficiary
- If a trust is the beneficiary: Certificate of Trust and trustee identification
- If an estate representative is filing: letters testamentary or letters of administration from probate court
- If no estate exists: Affidavit of Small Estate form (ISACHO8A)
6
Mail completed claim package to: National Benefit Life Insurance Company, Attn: Claims Department, One Court Square, Long Island City, NY 11120-0001
Required Documents
- Completed Claimant's Statement form DCL-10 (each beneficiary completes a separate form; signature must be notarized)
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Original policy contract (if available)
- Government-issued identification for the beneficiary
- Certificate of Trust and trustee identification (if trust is beneficiary)
- Letters testamentary or letters of administration (if estate representative is filing)
- Affidavit of Small Estate form ISACHO8A (if no estate exists)
If the current policy owner is deceased, the new owner will be specified in the policy contract. If the new owner is an estate, the executor or administrator must sign. A copy of the death certificate and, if applicable, letters testamentary issued by a probate court are required. If there is no estate, an affidavit of Small Estate form may be used.
How long the process takes at National Benefit Life: Claims are processed on a case-by-case basis after all required documents are received and reviewed. Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the claim and completeness of documentation. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Documentation required by National Benefit Life includes Completed Claimant's Statement form DCL-10 (each beneficiary completes a separate form; signature must be notarized), Certified copy of the death certificate, and Original policy contract (if available), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A National Benefit Life term life insurance policy can be assigned to an ILIT through the Change of Ownership and Revocation of Beneficiary form, available at nationalbenefitlife.com. This removes the death benefit from the grantor's taxable estate. The grantor permanently relinquishes all incidents of ownership upon assignment. An existing policy transferred to an ILIT is subject to a three-year lookback rule under IRC Section 2035, meaning the transfer must survive three years to be excluded from the estate. Contact Policy Owner Services at 1-800-222-2062 to request the form or download it directly from nationalbenefitlife.com/public/nationalbenefitlife/policy-forms.html. National Benefit Life does not establish ILITs; work with an estate attorney to create one.
National Benefit Life's Claims Department can be reached by phone at 1-800-222-2062, email at LifeClaims@NationalBenefitLife.com, and fax at (718) 361-3656 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple National Benefit Life policies, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Policy Maintenance can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Policy Owner Services
Phone1-800-222-2062
Toll-Free1-800-222-2062
Fax(718) 361-3657
Mailing Address
National Benefit Life Insurance Company, One Court Square, Long Island City, NY 11120-0001
Primerica Term Insurance
WebsiteLearn more→
Policy Maintenance
Phone1-800-222-2062
Mailing Address
National Benefit Life Insurance Company, Attn: Policy Owner Services, One Court Square, Long Island City, NY 11120-0001
Claims Department
Phone1-800-222-2062
Toll-Free1-800-222-2062
Fax(718) 361-3656
Mailing Address
National Benefit Life Insurance Company, Attn: Claims Department, One Court Square, Long Island City, NY 11120-0001
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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