What to do when a New York Life account holder dies
Report the death to New York Life Claims & Benefits at 1-800-225-5695
When an insured person dies, the beneficiary or executor should contact New York Life Claims & Benefits at 1-800-225-5695 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 claim process
The death claim process at New York Life works as follows:
Filing a claim
- Individual life insurance: the Death Benefit Proceeds Form - Life (20838LIFE).
- An annuity: the separate Death Benefit Proceeds Form - Annuity (20838ANNUITY). A beneficiary of both a life policy and an annuity completes both forms.
- The FAQ explains that the annuity form carries tax withholding and tax deferral options that generally do not apply to life insurance.
- A New York Life Annuities contract: the New York Life Annuities Death Benefit Form (ANN18743), which goes to NYL Annuities - TPD in Philadelphia.
- Group life or AD&D through an employer or association: New York Life Group Benefit Solutions, on the Group/Association Proof of Loss.
- Anyone unsure which claim form to use can reach a customer service professional at 800-CALL-NYL.
- Online at newyorklife.com/claims/start-a-claim.
- The online form starts reports on life and annuity products and any other policies the deceased person owned.
- By phone at (800) CALL-NYL (1-800-225-5695), saying "Claims" at any time, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM ET. A Death Benefit Proceeds form is then mailed to the beneficiaries on record.
- New York Life Annuities: the Beneficiary Portal. For assistance, the Service Center is at 1-800-762-6212.
- Group life or AD&D: the employer files through the Group Benefit Solutions claims platform. Questions go to 1-800-238-2125, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET.
- Life and 20838ANNUITY annuity claims: each beneficiary completes their own form.
- The FAQ states an individual beneficiary on a life policy may be able to settle the claim verbally, without additional documentation, by calling 800-CALL-NYL.
- New York Life Annuities: a completed, signed and dated ANN18743 form for each beneficiary, and a separate form for each policy when different options are elected.
- Group life or AD&D: the employer or administrator completes Sections A and C of the Proof of Loss (and B for a dependent claim).
- The employer submits the Proof of Loss with a death certificate, the beneficiary designation and enrollment information, if applicable.
- The capacity of the claim: corporate officer, estate representative, trustee, collateral assignee, or other.
- The entity name as shown on its income tax return, and the representative or trustee name.
- The entity's Taxpayer Identification Number. The deceased person's SSN cannot be used.
- A trust also gives the date of the trust agreement, the state where it was established, whether it is a grantor trust, and whether there is a surviving grantor.
- Life and 20838ANNUITY claims: New York Life, Claims & Benefits, PO Box 130539, Dallas, TX 75313-0539.
- Overnight: New York Life, Claims & Benefits, 5005 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Suite 1800, Dallas, TX 75244-6199.
- ANN18743 claims: NYL Annuities - TPD, Mail Code 7390, PO Box 7247, Philadelphia, PA 19170-7390, or fax 1-866-695-8757.
- ANN18743 overnight: NYL Annuities - TPD, 400 White Clay Center Drive, Attn: LOCKBOX #7390, Newark, DE 19711.
- Group claims: New York Life Group Benefit Solutions, Pittsburgh Claim Service Center, P.O. Box 22328, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-0328, or fax 877-300-6770.
- The FAQ requires only one original certified death certificate per claim, even with several beneficiaries.
- A certified original has a raised seal or a multicolored signature seal from the issuing county, city, or state and the signature of the appropriate officer.
- A beneficiary who has received a letter with a claim number can register to access the claim online.
- New York Life Annuities states claims cannot be processed until all forms are completed and accurate.
- Have the deceased policy owner's name, last known address, date of birth, and date of death. The Social Security number is not required.
Required Documents
- Original death certificate, for a life insurance claim on Form 20838LIFEThe life claim kit's cover letter asks for an original death certificate with the form.
- Death certificate, for a claim sent to New York Life Claims & BenefitsOne original certified death certificate per claim. A copy is accepted on all annuity claims, regardless of amount, and on life claims of $100,000 or less (aggregate).
- Copy of the death certificate, for a claim on Form ANN18743 (New York Life Annuities)One copy, which is not returned. If the cause of death is Pending or Under Investigation, an updated death certificate showing the cause of death is required.
- Death certificate, for a group life or AD&D claim on the Proof of LossThe employer or administrator submits it with the completed Proof of Loss.
- Beneficiary designation and enrollment information, for a group life or AD&D claim, if applicableThe employer or administrator submits them with the Proof of Loss, with the most recent beneficiary designation.
- Copy of a deceased beneficiary's certified death certificate, if a named beneficiary has also diedAccepted as proof of that beneficiary's death.
- The beneficiary's Social Security numberA trust, estate, or corporation gives its own Taxpayer Identification Number. The deceased person's SSN cannot be used.
- Trust pages, for a trust claim on Form ANN18743Pages showing the title, settlor or grantor information, successor trustees, and signatures, plus any amendments. All trustees sign.
- Court appointed estate paperwork, for an estate claim on Form ANN18743A copy of the certified appointment papers, with a visible stamp or seal.
- Corporate resolution showing the authorized signer, for a corporate claim on Form ANN18743
- Copy of the power of attorney, or written authorization from the beneficiaries, for an agent under a power of attorney, or an attorney or third party, on Form ANN18743
- Copy of the applicable legal paperwork, for a custodian, conservator, attorney-in-fact or attorney acting for a beneficiaryAn attorney handling the claim for a beneficiary sends a written, signed statement on letterhead with the policy number referenced.
- Marriage or divorce decree, or a court document showing the change, if the beneficiary's name changed since the last beneficiary designationA marriage or divorce decree may be required for a name changed by marriage or divorce, and a court document for any other change.
- Form W-8BEN, or W-8BEN-E for a foreign entity, for a beneficiary on Form ANN18743 who is not a U.S. citizen or residentA resident alien sends a copy of the green card.
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms New York Life issues5
- Death Benefit Proceeds Form - Life (20838LIFE)
Completed by each beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Available to download.1
- Death Benefit Proceeds Form - Annuity (20838ANNUITY)
Completed by each beneficiary of an annuity. Available to download.2
- New York Life Annuities Death Benefit Form (ANN18743)
Completed by each beneficiary, with a separate form for each policy when different options are elected. Available to download.3
- Group/Association - Proof of Loss
Completed by the employer or administrator (Sections A and C, and B for a dependent claim). Available to download.4
- Group Universal Life and Group Variable Universal Life Insurance Claim Form
Completed by each beneficiary. Available to download.5
What happens to each kind of account2
- Life insurance policy
If the primary beneficiary is the insured's spouse or an eligible third party such as a trust, the Spouse's Paid-Up Insurance Purchase Option may let it buy a paid-up policy on the spouse without underwriting or medical questions, within the policy's time limits. Not all policies have it; New York's is the RPPO/RIPPO.1
The disclosure calls the Survivor Assurance account a retained asset account, with funds held by Life Insurance Company of North America or New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY. A draft for the full balance can be written at any time; balances show online.4
On a group universal life or group variable universal life claim, a Survivor Assurance account whose balance falls below $250 is closed and the balance sent by check.5
- Annuity
A surviving spouse who is sole primary beneficiary may continue a deferred annuity; spousal continuance is not available on Inherited IRAs, Tax Sheltered Annuities, or Keogh or pension contracts. Individuals may instead elect an inherited IRA transfer or an inherited non-qualified exchange.2
Accounts handled elsewhere3
- New York Life Annuities
Annuity claims on the New York Life Annuities Death Benefit Form (ANN18743)6
Phone: 1-800-762-6212
Fax: 1-866-695-8757
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:30 PM ET
Mailing address: NYL Annuities - TPD, Mail Code 7390, PO Box 7247, Philadelphia, PA 19170-7390
- New York Life Group Benefit Solutions
Group life and AD&D coverage through an employer or association7
Phone: 1-800-238-2125
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM ET
- NYL GBS Survivor Assurance
Survivor Assurance accounts holding group life or AD&D benefits of $5,000 or more4
Phone: 1-800-570-3778
Mailing address: NYL GBS Survivor Assurance, PO Box 534029, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4029
Help New York Life offers survivors2
- Survivor Support Specialists
One-on-one help with the life and AD&D claims process, obtaining death certificates or locating forms, finding funeral homes, and grief resources, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET.8
Who qualifies: Beneficiaries of group life or AD&D coverage through New York Life Group Benefit Solutions
- Empathy
An app with grief resources, time-saving tools, a personalized care plan and Care Managers, offered at no cost. Empathy is not affiliated with New York Life.9
What New York Life's agreement and guidance say3
- How proceeds are paid
Life proceeds are paid by check unless a settlement alternative from the original contract is elected; none is offered on a policy issued in 2011 or later. Proceeds Left on Deposit and Guaranteed Life Income are for individual beneficiaries only; proceeds left on deposit stay with the issuing company, not a bank.1
Interest is paid on most life insurance claims from the date of death until the claim is paid. Variable annuity death proceeds do not pay interest.10
20838ANNUITY pays a check by default; settlement alternatives apply to deferred annuities and continued payments to income annuities. Elected Income goes on qualified contracts only to trusts and on non-qualified ones to trusts and estates, chosen within 1 year of death and ending within 5 years.2
Estate and testamentary trust beneficiaries get a lump sum only. Settlement Account options need at least $5,000, must be elected within a year of the death, are not available on immediate or annuitized policies, and their life income options are not open to trusts, corporations or other non-living entities.3
A group life or AD&D benefit under $5,000 is paid by check, and one of $5,000 or more goes into a NYL GBS Survivor Assurance account, an interest-bearing account in the beneficiary's name. A beneficiary who does not separately sign the Survivor Assurance section receives a single lump-sum check.4
- Payment to a minor or incapacitated beneficiary
Payment to a minor is made to an authorized representative, such as a custodian under the Uniform Transfers/Gifts to Minors Act or a court-designated Guardian of the "Person and Estate" or "Estate" of the minor. Minor beneficiary requirements vary by state.10
- Wills, probate and small estates
Where the estate has not been and will not be probated, the claim kit directs the claimant to the probate court in the county where the deceased person lived to learn whether the estate falls under its small estate guidelines. An heir or affiant with documentation of the right to payment completes Section 3A.1
Not in New York Life's published guidance1
- How long a claim takes
Sources10
- 1.Death Benefit Proceeds Form - Life (20838LIFE), with claim kit cover letter (20838LIFEINFO), 20838LIFE (03/2026); 20838LIFEINFO (04/2020)
- 2.Death Benefit Proceeds Form - Annuity (20838ANNUITY), 20838ANNUITY (3/2026)
- 3.New York Life Annuities Death Benefit Form for Annuity Proceeds (ANN18743), ANN18743 (09/2026)
- 4.Group/Association - Proof of Loss (LMS-613500), Revised 04/2026
- 5.Group Universal Life and Group Variable Universal Life Insurance Claim Form (568796), Revised 09/2026
- 6.Contact | New York Life Annuities
- 7.Submit life and AD&D claim
- 8.Survivor Support Resources
- 9.Claims
- 10.Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Death Benefit Proceeds (14721FAQ), 14721FAQ (09/2024)
New York Life Claims & Benefits can be reached by phone at 1-800-225-5695 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from New York Life primary sources (44 pages reviewed). How we research.
New York Life death claims support
New York Life Claims & Benefits
Phone
Variable life and variable annuities
New York Life Annuities Service Center
Group Life and AD&D Claims
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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