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What to do when a Penn Mutual account holder dies

Report the death to Penn Mutual's Death Claims Division at 1-800-523-0650

Filing a death claim on a Penn Mutual policy begins with notifying the Death Claims Division at 1-800-523-0650. 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 Penn Mutual:

Filing a claim

1
Report the death with Penn Mutual's online claim form, or call 1-800-523-0650.
  • The form can be completed by a beneficiary or third party, the insured's representative, or a financial representative.
2
Send information concerning a claim to the Death Claims Division:
  • Regular mail: The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, Death Claims Division, PO Box 178, Philadelphia, PA 19105
  • Overnight: The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1600 Malone Street, Millville, NJ 08332
3
Choose how the death benefit is paid: a lump sum or an income payment option.
  • If the claim was paid under the interest-bearing checking account option, call Northern Trust (NTRS) at 1-800-343-2551 to activate online access to its beneficiary portal.

Accounts handled elsewhere1

Northern Trust (NTRS)

Proceeds paid under the interest-bearing checking account option, through its beneficiary portal1

What Penn Mutual's agreement and guidance say1

How proceeds are paid

A beneficiary can take the death benefit as a lump sum or elect an income payment option that pays regular payments instead. An income payment option requires a minimum value of $5,000 (some whole life policies $1,000).1

The income payment options are life-only, period certain of 5 to 30 years, life with period certain, installment refund, joint and survivor, interest-only, and fixed amount. Electing one ends the policy, and the choice is locked in once made.1

Not in Penn Mutual's published guidance1

  • A list of required documents

Sources1

Download instructions for the whole estate

Penn Mutual's Death Claims Division can be reached by phone at 1-800-523-0650 for questions throughout the claims process.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Sources

Data sourced from Penn Mutual primary sources (35 pages reviewed). How we research.

Penn Mutual death claims support

Death Claims Division

Overnight mailing

The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1600 Malone Street, Millville, NJ 08332

Northern Trust (NTRS) beneficiary portal activation

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-6:00 PM ET

Mailing address

The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, Death Claims Division, PO Box 178, Philadelphia, PA 19105
Verified Sep 2026

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