How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Paychex
Covers 9 retirement accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Paychex Support
Phone833-299-0168
Toll-Free833-299-0168
COBRA, Health and Benefits, and Flexible Spending Account Help
Paychex HR PEO employee support (Paychex Flex)
WebsiteLearn more→
Paychex Support
Phone833-299-0168
Toll-Free833-299-0168
COBRA, Health and Benefits, and Flexible Spending Account Help
Paychex HR PEO employee support (Paychex Flex)
WebsiteLearn more→
Paychex Retirement Services - Loans and Distributions
Fax(585) 389-7219
Mailing Address
Paychex Retirement Services, Attn: Loans and Distributions, 1175 John Street, West Henrietta, NY 14586
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Beneficiary designations on Paychex retirement retirement accounts carry more weight than most people realize. They override a will, control who receives the balance, and determine the tax treatment of inherited distributions. Reviewing these designations after any major life change is essential.
The transfer rules at Paychex vary across 9 retirement accounts. Below is a breakdown of beneficiary options, trust funding, and which products support each method.
Traditional 401(k) PlanSafe Harbor 401(k) PlanSIMPLE 401(k) PlanSolo 401(k) PlanPaychex Pooled Employer Plan (PEP)Multiple Employer Plan (MEP)Profit Sharing PlanSIMPLE IRA403(b) Plan
1
Log in to Paychex Flex:
- Go to https://www.paychexflex.com and sign in (registration is at the same address via Sign Up)
- Select Retirement Services or the Retirement icon
2
Enter beneficiary details:
- Add or update primary and secondary beneficiaries with name, relationship, SSN, address, and share percentage
- To name a trust, use the trust's full legal name and the trust EIN -- Paychex's death-benefit form treats a trust as "Beneficiary Name (or Trust Name)" with "Beneficiary SSN (or Trust EIN)"
3
If you are married and naming anyone other than your spouse as primary beneficiary, a notarized spousal waiver is still required -- it cannot be completed electronically and must be done on form RS0016
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- RS0016: a married participant may have only ONE primary beneficiary -- the spouse -- unless the notarized Spousal Waiver is completed
- The Spousal Waiver must be witnessed by a notary public; it cannot be done electronically
- Beneficiary forms are held by the EMPLOYER, not by Paychex, so a copy should be kept with your estate records
- RS0016 covers Paychex qualified retirement plans (401(k), profit sharing, 403(b)). The SIMPLE IRA uses its custodian's beneficiary form instead.
- Beneficiary designations override wills and other estate documents
Sources
Data sourced from Paychex primary sources (18 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Paychex instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Paychex primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Paychex Support
Phone833-299-0168
Toll-Free833-299-0168
COBRA, Health and Benefits, and Flexible Spending Account Help
Paychex HR PEO employee support (Paychex Flex)
WebsiteLearn more→
Paychex Support
Phone833-299-0168
Toll-Free833-299-0168
COBRA, Health and Benefits, and Flexible Spending Account Help
Paychex HR PEO employee support (Paychex Flex)
WebsiteLearn more→
Paychex Retirement Services - Loans and Distributions
Fax(585) 389-7219
Mailing Address
Paychex Retirement Services, Attn: Loans and Distributions, 1175 John Street, West Henrietta, NY 14586
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Paychex accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
