What to do when a Philadelphia FCU account holder dies
Contact Philadelphia FCU — 3-step process, 4 required documents, and joint accounts are updated promptly. pod accounts are typically processed within 2-4 weeks after receipt of all documentation. estate accounts requiring probate documentation may take 30-90 days.
Phone1-215-934-3500
EmailService@pfcu.com
Mailing Address
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, 12800 Townsend Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
Toll-Free (outside Philadelphia)
Phone Banking
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-215-934-3500
EmailService@pfcu.com
Mailing Address
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, 12800 Townsend Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
Toll-Free (outside Philadelphia)
Phone Banking
WebsiteLearn more→
Member Services (Death Claims)
Phone1-215-934-3500
EmailService@pfcu.com
Mailing Address
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, 12800 Townsend Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
Toll-Free (outside Philadelphia)
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
The Member Services (Death Claims) at Philadelphia FCU coordinates account transitions after a member's death. How each account is handled depends on its setup: POD and trust accounts transfer automatically, while solely-owned accounts typically require court authorization through Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Death claims at Philadelphia FCU can be started through an online portal, which streamlines the initial notification and document upload. Phone and mail options are also available.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Philadelphia FCU:
Filing a claim
1
Contact PFCU Member Services at (215) 934-3500 or (800) 832-7328 to notify them of the member's death:
- Provide a certified copy of the death certificate
- The executor or administrator may need to provide Letters Testamentary (Short Certificate in Pennsylvania) or Letters of Administration
2
Account distribution depends on ownership type:
- Joint accounts: the surviving joint owner continues to use the account; the deceased member's name is removed
- Accounts with POD beneficiary designation: funds are distributed to the named beneficiaries upon presentation of required documentation
- Accounts without joint owner or POD: funds are distributed to the estate through probate
3
An Estate Account may be opened at PFCU to manage the deceased member's financial affairs during estate settlement:
- The Estate Account allows the executor or administrator to pay bills and taxes, settle debts, and distribute assets to beneficiaries
- Visit a branch or contact PFCU for assistance with opening an Estate Account
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Short Certificate (Letters Testamentary) if an executor is named in the will (Pennsylvania terminology)
- Letters of Administration if no will exists and an administrator is appointed by the court
- Government-issued photo ID for the authorized party (joint owner, executor, or administrator)
PFCU offers Estate Accounts specifically designed to hold the assets of a deceased person's estate during the settlement process. The executor or administrator uses the estate account to pay bills and taxes, settle debts, and distribute assets to beneficiaries. Pennsylvania uses "Short Certificates" (equivalent to Letters Testamentary in other states) to authorize executors. Contact PFCU Member Services at (215) 934-3500 or email Service@pfcu.com for assistance with the death claim process.
How long the process takes at Philadelphia FCU: Joint accounts are updated promptly. POD accounts are typically processed within 2-4 weeks after receipt of all documentation. Estate accounts requiring probate documentation may take 30-90 days. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
To process a claim, Philadelphia FCU needs Certified copy of the death certificate, Short Certificate (Letters Testamentary) if an executor is named in the will (Pennsylvania terminology), Letters of Administration if no will exists and an administrator is appointed by the court, and Government-issued photo ID for the authorized party (joint owner, executor, or administrator). Death certificates and court documents must be certified copies—photocopies are not accepted.
Frequently asked questions
Contact PFCU Member Services at (215) 934-3500 or visit any branch location to add or update a Payable on Death (POD) beneficiary designation on your deposit accounts. If you open an account online, beneficiary designations must be completed directly with PFCU after account opening. IRA beneficiary designations are handled separately at the time of account opening.
PFCU offers four types of specialty accounts: (1) Trust Accounts, which manage property for the benefit of another person based on a written trust agreement; (2) Estate Accounts, which allow executors or administrators to handle the financial affairs of a deceased person; (3) IOLTA Accounts (Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts), which hold client funds separately from law firm funds; and (4) Custodial/PAUTMA Accounts, which allow adults to set up savings for a child under the Pennsylvania Uniform Transfer to Minor Act until the child turns 21.
Anyone who lives, works, studies, worships, or does business in Philadelphia or Columbia County, PA, is eligible to join. Additionally, employees of over 400 partner organizations throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware can join even if they do not live in the Philadelphia area. Immediate family members of current PFCU members, or those living with a current member, are also eligible. A $5 refundable membership deposit in a Regular Savings account is required to establish membership.
Philadelphia FCU's Member Services (Death Claims) can be reached by phone at 1-215-934-3500 and email at Service@pfcu.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Philadelphia FCU accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Member Services (Death Claims) to confirm what applies.
Phone1-215-934-3500
EmailService@pfcu.com
Mailing Address
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, 12800 Townsend Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
Toll-Free (outside Philadelphia)
Phone Banking
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-215-934-3500
EmailService@pfcu.com
Mailing Address
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, 12800 Townsend Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
Toll-Free (outside Philadelphia)
Phone Banking
WebsiteLearn more→
Member Services (Death Claims)
Phone1-215-934-3500
EmailService@pfcu.com
Mailing Address
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, 12800 Townsend Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
Toll-Free (outside Philadelphia)
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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