What to do when an OCCU account holder dies
Report the death to OCCU at 1-800-365-1111
When a member of OCCU passes away, OCCU handles the transition of accounts to beneficiaries or the estate. Accounts with Payable on Death designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate, while solely-owned accounts may require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting OCCU.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what OCCU requires:
Filing a claim
What happens to each kind of account6
- Account in one name
On an individual account, including a living trust account, the deceased owner's interest passes, subject to applicable law, to the estate or to the payable-on-death beneficiary, if there is one.1
- Joint account with survivorship
The deceased owner's interest becomes the property of the surviving joint owner or owners. A joint account has right of survivorship unless the Signature Card states otherwise.1
- Joint account without survivorship
The deceased owner's interest passes to the estate.1
- Payable-on-death account
After the death of the last owner, the account is payable to any named payable-on-death beneficiary who survives.1
- IRA
An IRA is governed by its own beneficiary designation, separate from any payable-on-death designation.1
- Certificate of deposit
At OCCU's option, a certificate may be paid before maturity without an early withdrawal penalty when an account owner dies.2
State law on paying a balance without lettersOregon, Washington
- Oregon
ORS 723.466
Oregon law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.ORS 723.466Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: surviving spouse
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: at any time after the death
Paid to: Oregon Health Authority or Department of Human Services (no surviving spouse; preferred claim under ORS 411.708, 411.795 or 416.350)
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: not less than 46 days and no more than 75 days after the death
Paid to: surviving children 18 or older; else surviving parent(s); else surviving brothers and sisters 18 or older; else any other surviving heir
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: not earlier than 76 days after the death; not earlier than 46 days after the death where the institution obtains prior verbal or written authorization from both the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Human Services
Paid to: estate administrator of the State Treasurer (intestate, no known heirs)
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
- Washington
RCW 30A.22.190(2)
Washington law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.RCW 30A.22.190(2)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: $2,500 held at the institution
Paid to: the surviving spouse, next of kin, funeral director, or other creditor who may appear to be entitled thereto
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
RCW 30A.22.190(1)
Washington law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.RCW 30A.22.190(1)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: The section sets no dollar limit.
Paid to: the surviving spouse (party to a community property agreement with the decedent that reaches the funds)
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
What OCCU's agreement and guidance say3
- Payments after the death
OCCU may keep honoring transactions on the account until it learns of an owner's death. For 10 days after the death it may pay checks or other payment or transfer orders the member authorized, unless someone claiming an interest in the account tells OCCU to stop payment.1
- Indemnity a claimant may have to give
OCCU may require anyone claiming the funds to indemnify OCCU for losses resulting from honoring the claim.1
- Online access
OCCU's online banking enrollment instructions register "fiduciary accounts such as trusts and estates that were opened using an EIN" under the Business/Entity option.3
Not in OCCU's published guidance1
- A list of required documents
Sources3
- 1.Membership and Account Agreement, Revised 05/2026
- 2.Consumer Certificate Rate and Fee Schedule, Effective August 7, 2026
- 3.Online banking enrollment instructions
Sources
(5)·
Data sourced from OCCU primary sources (24 pages reviewed). How we research.
OCCU death claims support
Phone
Local
Fax
Lost/Stolen Debit Card (US)
Lost/Stolen Debit Card (International)
Credit Card Questions
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Death notifications go through general customer service.
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your OCCU 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: probate petition, small estate affidavit, creditor notice and closing forms. Prepare each form for your state.
Affidavit of Death
Put a joint owner's or a transfer on death deed owner's death on the land records with the affidavit your state's statute names, laid out for recording.
IRS Form 56
Notify the IRS that you are the fiduciary of an estate, a trust or a person, or end a notice filed before, on the official form.
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.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for your state.
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.
What Happens to Jointly Owned Property When an Owner Dies?
See what your state records when a joint tenant with right of survivorship dies: an affidavit, the death certificate or a new deed.
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.
