What to do when a Nationwide account holder dies
Report the death to Nationwide's Annuity and Life CARE Team at 1-800-848-6331
A death claim on a Nationwide policy is filed through the Annuity and Life CARE Team (1-800-848-6331). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Nationwide:
Filing a claim
- Online: start the claim with Nationwide's online death claim
- By phone: call the Annuity and Life CARE Team at 1-800-848-6331, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET weekdays
- If you do not know the policy or contract number, use Nationwide's lost policy search or call 1-800-848-6331
- Provide documents to your claims specialist by email whenever possible
- Use its secure DocuSign service for the claim submission
- Choose electronic direct deposit as the payment method
- 5-Year or 10-Year Delayed Distribution Option (Option 3)
- Receive Guaranteed Income (Annuitization) (Option 4)
- Life Expectancy Distribution Option (Option 5)
- Take a lump sum withdrawal (Option 6)
- By mail to Nationwide Life Insurance Company, PO Box 182021, Columbus, OH 43218-2021
- By overnight mail to Nationwide Insurance, 1-LC-F4, 1 Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, OH 43215-2239
- By fax to 888-634-4472
Required Documents
- Copy of the death certificateThe funeral home director can help you get one.
- Copy of the certified death certificate, with an annuity claim on form AAF-0107AO
- Annuity Beneficiary Claim Form (AAF-0107AO), for an annuityOne beneficiary per form.
- The deceased person's name, date and location of death, and policy or contract numberA death in a foreign country needs additional documentation. The insured on a life policy; the annuitant or contract owner on an annuity.
- Beneficiary's name, date of birth, Social Security number, and addressAn estate, trust, or organization beneficiary may need to give additional information.
- Beneficiary's bank routing number and account numberFor the claim proceeds.
- Certification of Trust (Trust Certificate) or a copy of the trust, if a trust is the beneficiaryNationwide must have it on file before processing. It gives the trust name and effective date, the trustees and successor trustees, and the trust's tax identification number.
- Letter of testamentary or administration, if the estate is the beneficiary, or an executor signsReturn a copy with the form. Nationwide must have court-certified executor documentation on file before processing a form an executor signs.
- Power of attorney, if an attorney-in-fact signs the claimNationwide must have the power of attorney on file confirming authority before processing.
- Corporate resolution, if the beneficiary is a corporation or the contract has been assignedIt identifies who is authorized to sign for the company, and Nationwide must have it on file before processing.
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms Nationwide issues2
- Annuity Beneficiary Claim Form (AAF-0107AO)
Completed by each beneficiary, one per form. Available to download.1
- Beneficiary Claim and Distribution Form (NRN-1099AO)
Completed by each beneficiary, one form per plan type. Available to download.2
What happens to each kind of account1
- Annuity
On the annuity claim form, a surviving spouse may re-register the contract and become the owner (Option 1) or be treated as a beneficiary and choose a distribution option (Option 2).1
Where the owner and annuitant are different people and the owner dies, the contract value is payable instead of the death benefit; Nationwide says this is not a death benefit claim, so withdrawals may be subject to a surrender charge (CDSC).1
State requirements Nationwide statesNew York
- New York
A New York resident beneficiary also signs the New York fraud statement (Section 8) on the annuity claim form.1
Accounts handled elsewhere5
- Nationwide Retirement Solutions
Beneficiary claims on the retirement plan accounts it serves3
Phone: 1-877-677-3678
Fax: 1-877-677-4329
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-11:00 PM ET; Saturday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM ET
Mailing address: Nationwide Retirement Solutions, P.O. Box 182797, Columbus, OH 43218-2797
- Nationwide Retirement Solutions
Returned Beneficiary Claim and Distribution Forms (NRN-1099AO)2
Email: rpublic@nationwide.com
- Nationwide mutual funds
Mutual funds or other investment accounts4
Phone: 1-800-848-0920
- Nationwide auto and property claims
Auto or property insurance claims4
Phone: 1-800-421-3535
- Harleysville Life & Annuity
Harleysville Life & Annuity claims5
Phone: 1-800-222-1981 (option 1)
Fax: 1-215-256-7683
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM ET; Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM ET
Help Nationwide offers survivors1
- Financial specialists for beneficiaries
Specialists who help beneficiaries understand their options for annuity or life insurance proceeds, with no cost, fees or sales pitches. Call 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET weekdays or schedule a time to talk.6
Who qualifies: Beneficiaries who do not already have a financial professional.
What Nationwide's agreement and guidance say2
- How proceeds are paid
Nationwide sends the proceeds to the beneficiary by check, ACH, or J.P. Morgan Concourse.7
On an annuity, J.P. Morgan Concourse is available only for payments of $50,000 or less, and its payment email arrives within one to two business days of processing. Direct deposits normally occur up to four business days after the withdrawal from the contract.1
- Payment to a minor or incapacitated beneficiary
Nationwide will not pay insurance proceeds to minors. It names a court-appointed guardian of the estate, a conservator, a custodian under a state's Uniform Transfers to Minors Act, or a trust as customary recipients.4
Sources7
- 1.Annuity Beneficiary Claim Form (AAF-0107AO), AAF-0107AO.27 (01/2026)
- 2.Nationwide Retirement Solutions Beneficiary Claim and Distribution Form (NRN-1099AO), NRN-1099AO.12 (06/2025)
- 3.Nationwide Retirement Plans: Contact us
- 4.Helping you navigate a difficult time: A beneficiary checklist for life insurance and annuities (LAM-5177AO), LAM-5177AO (09/23)
- 5.Call us
- 6.Your guide to navigating an annuity or life insurance policy payout
- 7.File an annuity death benefit or life insurance claim
Retirement Accounts
2 products- By mail to PO Box 182797, Columbus, OH 43218-2797
- By overnight mail to Nationwide Financial, 1-LC-F2, 1 Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, OH 43215-2239
- By fax to 1-877-677-4329
- By email to rpublic@nationwide.com; general plan questions go to nrsforu@nationwide.com
Required Documents
- Completed Beneficiary Claim and Distribution Form (NRN-1099AO)One per beneficiary and per plan type.
- Death certificate listing a cause of death, if one is not already on fileAn original if the account value is $100,000 or greater; a copy if it is less than $100,000.
- Legal guardianship or conservatorship papers, if the beneficiary is a minor
- Copy of the trust document, the will (testamentary trust), or a Certification of Trust, if a trust is the beneficiary
- Divorce decree and property settlement agreement, if the beneficiary was divorced from the participant
- Documentation validating Eligible Designated Beneficiary status, where that status is claimedFor example a disability or chronic-illness certification, or a minor child's birth certificate or adoption order.
- Letter of Acceptance from the receiving provider, for a rollover
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-877-677-3678
Email: rpublic@nationwide.com
Fax: 1-877-677-4329
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-11:00 PM ET; Saturday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM ET
Mailing address: Nationwide Retirement Solutions, PO Box 182797, Columbus, OH 43218-2797
Forms Nationwide issues1
- Beneficiary Claim and Distribution Form (NRN-1099AO)
Completed by each beneficiary, one form per plan type. Available to download.1
Sources1
- 1.Nationwide Retirement Solutions Beneficiary Claim and Distribution Form (NRN-1099AO), NRN-1099AO.12 (06/2025)
Applies To
Required Documents
- Completed Beneficiary Claim and Distribution Form (NRN-1099AO)
- Death certificate listing a cause of death, if one is not already on fileAn original if the account value is $100,000 or greater; a copy if it is less than $100,000.
- Legal guardianship or conservatorship papers, if the beneficiary is a minor
- Copy of the trust document, the will (testamentary trust), or a Certification of Trust, if a trust is the beneficiary
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-772-2182
Email: rpublic@nationwide.com
Fax: 1-877-677-4329
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-11:00 PM ET; Saturday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM ET
Mailing address: Nationwide Retirement Solutions, PO Box 182797, Columbus, OH 43218-2797
Forms Nationwide issues1
- Beneficiary Claim and Distribution Form (NRN-1099AO)
Completed by the beneficiary. Available to download.1
Sources1
- 1.Nationwide Retirement Solutions Beneficiary Claim and Distribution Form (NRN-1099AO), NRN-1099AO.12 (06/2025)
Applies To
Nationwide's Annuity and Life CARE Team can be reached by phone at 1-800-848-6331 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Nationwide primary sources (32 pages reviewed). How we research.
Nationwide death claims support
Annuity and Life CARE Team
Phone
Fax (annuity claims)
Fax (life)
Governmental 457, 401(k), 403(b) plan beneficiary claims
Financial specialists for beneficiaries (no cost)
Harleysville Life & Annuity claims
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Nationwide accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Open probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Notify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.
Renunciation of Executor
Decline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.
Small Estate Affidavit
Collect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need and see ordering info for your state.
Do I Need Probate?
Find out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Find out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.
