What to do when a Pentegra account holder dies
Report the death to Pentegra's Distributions at 1-866-634-5873
What happens to Pentegra retirement accounts after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with Pentegra's Distributions (1-866-634-5873) to claim the funds.
The first step is contacting Pentegra at 1-866-634-5873 with the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate in hand.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Pentegra:
Filing a claim
- 401(k), ESOP, or non-qualified plan: 866-633-4015
- Pension or defined benefit plan: 203-567-2237
- Non-ERISA 403(b) or IRA: 866-634-5873
- Steps 1-2: the deceased participant's details (name, Social Security number, place and date of death, employer or plan name) and the beneficiary's details
- The beneficiary gives a street address only; a P.O. box is not accepted
- Step 3: choose a payment option (life expectancy, five-year deferment, annual installments, or a lump sum paid directly or rolled over to an IRA)
- Step 7: the form must be signature guaranteed. The form states that a notarization from a notary public does not meet signature guarantee requirements
- Mailing a check to a third-party address also requires a signature guarantee
- Pentegra Trust Company 403(b): Pentegra Trust Company, c/o ASPire, ATTN: Distributions, 4010 Boy Scout Blvd, Suite 450, Tampa, FL 33607 (address printed on the form, Rev. 9/17)
- Pentegra Trust Company 403(b) client services: 866-634-5873
- 401(k), ESOP, non-qualified, defined benefit, or cash balance plan: call 866-633-4015 or 203-567-2237 for the plan's claim paperwork and its return address
- A certified death certificate
- IRS Form W-9, if taking an immediate distribution of the entire interest
- Letters Testamentary or a certified copy of the small estate affidavit, if no beneficiary was designated and the surviving spouse or the estate is the beneficiary
Required Documents
- 403(b) Death Distribution Request Form, for a Pentegra Trust Company 403(b) accountOne per beneficiary.
- Certified death certificate
- Signature guarantee on the form (Step 7)A notarization from a notary public does not meet the requirement. Mailing a check to a third-party address also requires a signature guarantee.
- IRS Form W-9, if the beneficiary requests an immediate distribution of his or her entire interest
- Letters Testamentary or a certified copy of the small estate affidavit, if no beneficiary was designated and the surviving spouse, or (for an unmarried participant) the estate, is the beneficiary
- Account application, if the beneficiary keeps the account and takes distributions over five years or life expectancyPentegra Trust Company provides it on request.
Forms Pentegra issues2
- 403(b) Death Distribution Request Form (Pentegra Trust Company, Rev. 9/17)
Completed by each beneficiary. Available to download.1
- Account application (Pentegra Trust Company)
Completed by a beneficiary who keeps the account. Sent by the institution on request.1
What happens to each kind of account1
Accounts handled elsewhere1
What Pentegra's agreement and guidance say3
- How proceeds are paid
The 403(b) form offers the life expectancy method, the five-year deferment option, annual installments, or a lump sum paid directly or as a direct rollover to an IRA. Installments run 2-10 years for a surviving spouse and 2-5 years for a non-spouse beneficiary, only when payments had not begun before death.1
A surviving spouse may roll death benefits into his or her own IRA; a non-spouse beneficiary may roll them into a non-spouse inherited IRA. On the 403(b) form, an ACH transfer takes 3-5 business days to arrive.1
- Fees
The 403(b) Death Distribution Request Form (Rev. 9/17) states a $35 fee for an overnight check and for a wire transfer, and a $50-per-fund fee for in-kind distributions.1
- Online access
Pentegra Online (401ksave.net) was retired on September 27, 2024.3
Sources3
Pentegra's Distributions can be reached by phone at 1-866-634-5873 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Pentegra primary sources (24 pages reviewed). How we research.
Pentegra death claims support
Distributions (Pentegra Trust Company, c/o ASPire)
Phone
401(k), ESOP, or Non-Qualified Plan Participants
Pension or Defined Benefit Plan Participants
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Pentegra 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: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
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.
Affidavit of Heirship
Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.
Small Estate Affidavit
Collect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
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.
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.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.
