National Western Life
Subsidiary of Prosperity Life Group (through S. USA Life Insurance Company, Inc.)
nationalwesternlife.comWhat to do when a National Western Life account holder dies
Report the death to National Western Life's Claims at 1-800-531-5442
Filing a death claim on a National Western Life policy begins with notifying the Claims at 1-800-531-5442. Life insurance claims are separate from probate—proceeds transfer directly to named beneficiaries regardless of whether the estate goes through court. The timeline and documentation requirements depend on the policy type and cause of death.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with National Western Life:
Filing a claim
- Life insurance: the Life Claim Package, with the Life Claimant Statement (PB-1002), on the Individual Life Claim page
- Annuity: the Annuity Claim Package, with the Annuity Claimant Statement (PB-1001), on the Individual Annuity Claim page
- The same packages are linked from Prosperity Life Group's Start a Claim page
- USPS first-class mail (no postage deducted)
- FedEx (shipping cost deducted from the check; no deliveries to P.O. boxes)
- USPS Express Mail (postage deducted from the check; next-day delivery not guaranteed)
Required Documents
- Life Claimant Statement (PB-1002) or Annuity Claimant Statement (PB-1001), one for each beneficiaryThe annuity claim page says the annuity statement "should be completed in full detail by the named beneficiary claimant before a witness who should sign the form". PB-1001 itself has no witness signature line.
- Certified death certificateIt must show the insured's cause of death.
- The annuity contract or contracts, on an annuity claim, unless the beneficiary elects to continue the contract as owner
- Copy of the beneficiary's death certificate, on a life claim, if the beneficiary is deceased
- Letters of administration, letters testamentary or small estate papers, if the estate is the beneficiaryLife claim: letters of administration, letters testamentary, appointment as affiant, or a small estate affidavit. Annuity claim: properly certified letters of administration; the executor or administrator files the form.
- Trust document pages, on a life claim, if a trust is the beneficiaryA copy of the pages showing the trust creation date, the initial and successor trustees, and the signature page. On an annuity claim, the trustee or authorized individual completes the form.
- Certified letters of guardianship, if the beneficiary is a minor (on a life claim, if applicable)On an annuity claim, the legally appointed guardian completes the form. If no guardian is to be appointed, contact the company.
- Original assignment form, on a life claim, if the claim proceeds are assignedSection 5 of PB-1002 asks for the assignee's name and address and the amount of the assignee's claim.
- Complete, current copy of the power of attorney, on an annuity claim, if an agent under a power of attorney signs for the beneficiary
- Copy of a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or other legal documentation, on an annuity claim, if the beneficiary's name has changed
- Proof of age, on an annuity claim, if Income for Life is electedA copy of a birth certificate, driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID.
- Trust Information Form (DM-1094), on an annuity claim, if electing spousal continuation or installment payments and naming a trust as your own beneficiary in section 6
- Transfer form and letter of acceptance, for a lump sum transfer to a contract with an external companyIncluding a corporate resolution or signature guarantee.
- Form W-4R or W-4P, and CT-W4P or MI-W4P where it applies, on an annuity claim, to make a withholding election other than the defaultW-4R for a non-periodic distribution, W-4P for a periodic distribution.
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms National Western Life issues4
- Life Claim Package: Life Claimant Statement (PB-1002)
Completed by each beneficiary, in a separate package. Available to download.1
- Annuity Claim Package: Annuity Claimant Statement (PB-1001)
Completed by each beneficiary, in a separate package. Available to download.2
- Trust Information Form (DM-1094)
Completed by an annuity beneficiary naming a trust as their own beneficiary. Available to download.3
- Special claim forms (death outside the United States, homicide, or death within two years of issue or reinstatement)
Sent by the institution on request.4
What happens to each kind of account1
- Annuity
A beneficiary who elects spousal continuation or installment payments names their own beneficiary in section 6 of the Annuity Claimant Statement. Direct deposit for installment payments is set up in section 8.2
State requirements National Western Life statesConnecticut, Michigan
What National Western Life's agreement and guidance say3
- How proceeds are paid
The Annuity Claimant Statement offers four settlement options: Spousal Continuation, Lump Sum Payment, Installment Payments (Income for Fixed Period, Income for Life, or Life Income with Guaranteed Period), or Lump Sum Transfer to New Policy. Not every option is available on every policy.2
The annuity form states that once an option has been elected it cannot be changed.2
Both claimant statements say elections "are a full and final settlement once proceeds have been processed."1, 2
The annuity claim page states that "An election cannot be changed once processed."5
- What it says about taxes
The annuity claim page states that "Annuity death benefit elections have tax consequences."5
National Western's Annuity Claimant Statement says that on a non-periodic distribution, 10% federal withholding applies to the taxable gain unless a completed W-4R is attached.2
- Contestability of a recent policy
National Western's life claim instructions say special claim forms apply when the death occurred within two years from the date the policy was issued, or two years from reinstatement.4
Not in National Western Life's published guidance1
- How long a claim takes
National Western Life's Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-531-5442 and email at claimsinfo@prosperitylife.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
- prosperitylife.com
- nationalwesternlife.com
- nwl-edge.nationalwesternlife.com
- eapp.nationalwesternlife.com
- mynwl.com
Data sourced from National Western Life primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
National Western Life death claims support
Claims
Phone
Mailing address
Website
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