How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Northern Trust
Covers 5 deposit, 3 investment, 3 retirement, and 2 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Brokerage Services / Client Services
Phone1-312-630-0779
Toll-Free1-866-876-9944
Mailing Address
Northern Trust, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, IL 60675-5986
Wealth Management
Online Account Assistance
Northern Funds Center
Loss Mitigation / Payment Difficulty
WebsiteLearn more→
Brokerage Services / Client Services
Phone1-312-630-0779
Toll-Free1-866-876-9944
Mailing Address
Northern Trust, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, IL 60675-5986
Wealth Management
Online Account Assistance
Northern Funds Center
Loss Mitigation / Payment Difficulty
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Settlement Services
Phone1-312-557-5900
Toll-Free1-888-635-5350
Fax1-312-557-0411
Mailing Address
The Northern Trust Company, 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, IL 60603
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
There are two ways to keep your Northern Trust accounts out of probate: adding beneficiary designations and retitling eligible accounts into a revocable living trust. Which approach works best depends on the account type and your overall estate plan.
With 13 product types, Northern Trust offers a range of transfer options. Some accounts support Payable on Death (POD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
Northern Anchor Interest CheckingPersonal CheckingSavings AccountMoney Market Deposit AccountCertificate of Deposit
1
Visit a Northern Trust office with valid government-issued photo ID
2
Complete the beneficiary designation form:
- Request the Transfer on Death Registration Form (investment accounts) or POD beneficiary form (deposit accounts)
- Provide beneficiary details: full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, relationship, and allocation percentage
3
Obtain required signatures:
- All registered account owners must sign the form
- Obtain a Medallion Signature Guarantee from your Northern Trust advisor for existing accounts
4
Retain a copy of the signed form for your records
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- All registered account owners must sign the form
- Medallion Signature Guarantee required for all signatures on existing accounts
- TOD can be changed or revoked at any time during account holder lifetime
- Named beneficiaries override your will
Brokerage Services / Client Services
Phone1-312-630-0779
Toll-Free1-866-876-9944
Mailing Address
Northern Trust, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, IL 60675-5986
Wealth Management
Online Account Assistance
Northern Funds Center
Loss Mitigation / Payment Difficulty
WebsiteLearn more→
Brokerage Services / Client Services
Phone1-312-630-0779
Toll-Free1-866-876-9944
Mailing Address
Northern Trust, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, IL 60675-5986
Wealth Management
Online Account Assistance
Northern Funds Center
Loss Mitigation / Payment Difficulty
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Settlement Services
Phone1-312-557-5900
Toll-Free1-888-635-5350
Fax1-312-557-0411
Mailing Address
The Northern Trust Company, 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, IL 60603
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Northern Trust accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
