What to do when a Northwestern Mutual account holder dies
Report the death to Northwestern Mutual's Client Services at 1-800-635-8855
Filing a death claim on a Northwestern Mutual policy begins with notifying the Client Services at 1-800-635-8855. 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 Northwestern Mutual:
Filing a claim
- Give the insured's name, date of birth, date of death, manner of death, and one policy number if known. Northwestern Mutual includes the insured's other policies in the same claim.
- Where it is not known whether there was coverage, call (800) 388-8123 or fax (414) 625-9000.
- The insured's name, date of birth, and date of death
- Manner of death: Natural, Accident, Homicide, Suicide, or Unknown/Pending
- Whether the death occurred in the United States, and if not, the city and country
- A policy number if known. Northwestern Mutual: "If the insured has multiple policies, simply provide one policy number and we'll make sure the other policies are included with this claim."
- The funeral home's name and address (optional)
- The name, relationship to the insured, cell phone number and mailing address of the person submitting the report
- Northwestern Mutual: "If you are a beneficiary, sharing cell phone# and email may enable electronic signature of claim documents."
- The same number replaces misplaced or lost life, disability, or long-term care policy documents
Required Documents
- Death certificateEmail it to LifeBenefits@Northwesternmutual.com.
- A policy number, if knownOnly one is needed.
- Funeral home assignment, if benefits are assigned to the funeral home
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms Northwestern Mutual issues1
- Beneficiary claim statement
Completed by the beneficiary, after the death is reported. Sent by the institution on request.1
What happens to each kind of account2
- Life insurance policy
Proceeds are payable to the beneficiary on the death of the insured, as stated under the terms of the policy.2
On universal life, the beneficiary receives the death benefit and Northwestern Mutual keeps the remaining cash value. The death benefit is generally less if the policyowner withdrew or borrowed against the cash value.3
The hybrid life and long-term care policy "will pay the death benefit in case you don't need long-term care (or just a limited amount)." Policy loans, surrenders, or cash withdrawals reduce the death benefit.4
- Annuity
Northwestern Mutual lists "a guaranteed death benefit following the death of the owner of the annuity" for both its fixed and its variable annuities.5
On an income annuity, Single Life "stops when the annuitant dies"; with a period certain, income continues to a beneficiary only for the rest of the period; Joint Life and Survivor continues to the survivor, possibly reduced.6
Accounts handled elsewhere2
- Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (Investment Client Services)
Investment products and brokerage accounts7
Phone: 1-866-950-4644
- Northwestern Long-Term Care Claims Administration Office
Long-term care claims7
Phone: 1-800-748-9493
What Northwestern Mutual provides to the estate1
- Tax forms
Northwestern Mutual reports interest earned on death proceeds after the date of death, before they are paid, on Form 1099-INT when it is at least $10.00. Distributions from life insurance and annuity contracts are reported on Form 1099-R.2
Help Northwestern Mutual offers survivors1
- A beneficiary's financial checklist (23-5287)
A checklist for survivors: documents to gather, businesses and agencies to contact, and assets to review. It says to call 1-800-635-8855 and ask for extension 6610106 to schedule a financial consultation.8
What Northwestern Mutual's agreement and guidance say2
- How proceeds are paid
The beneficiary can take the proceeds in one check or choose a settlement plan, subject to availability: Interest Income (from $2,000), Interest Income with Guaranteed Interest Rate (from $5,000), Period Certain, Specified Amount, or Life Income. Interest may be paid from the date of death until the claim is settled.2
Interest Income keeps the principal intact, with free withdrawals or transfers at any time. The guaranteed rate runs six months or one, two, five or ten years; an earlier withdrawal is charged. Life income plans allow no withdrawals or transfers once payments start.2
- Debts owed to the institution
Any outstanding policy loan balance and interest reduce the proceeds paid to the beneficiary. An unpaid premium is deducted from the death benefit if the insured dies during the grace period.2
Northwestern Mutual says its review "is typically completed within 5 to 7 business days after receiving the necessary documentation."
Northwestern Mutual's Client Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-635-8855 and email at LifeBenefits@Northwesternmutual.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Northwestern Mutual primary sources (30 pages reviewed). How we research.
Northwestern Mutual death claims support
Client Services
Phone
Toll-free
Did the deceased have coverage? (coverage inquiry)
Coverage inquiry by fax
Northwestern Long-Term Care Claims Administration Office
Disability and waiver-of-premium claims (ext. 6612016)
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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