How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at RBFCU
Beneficiaries are managed in branch or by phone. Trust paperwork is taken by phone
There are two ways to keep your RBFCU accounts out of probate: adding Payable on Death designations and retitling accounts into a trust. Because RBFCU is a membership-based institution, trust retitling must maintain the membership eligibility requirement. Both methods ensure your accounts transfer directly to the people you choose, without court involvement.
With 16 product types, RBFCU offers a range of transfer options. Some accounts support Payable on Death (POD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
- Name, relationship, date of birth, SSN or TIN, and address of each beneficiary
- Primary or contingent share percentage for each beneficiary
- Spousal consent section where required
Required Documents
- Each POD payee's legal name, address, date of birth and Social Security number (for a POD payee on a deposit account)
- Each beneficiary's name, relationship, date of birth, SSN or TIN, and address (for an IRA)
- Primary or contingent share percentage for each beneficiary (for an IRA)
- IRA Designation or Change of Beneficiary Form, completed (for an IRA)
- Photo ID (at a branch). RBFCU requires photo ID for all branch transactions
- Valid identification for all trustees (e.g., driver's license, U.S. military ID, passport)
- Notarized trust documents naming the trust, grantors, beneficiaries, trustees, and successor trustees
- EIN documentation on IRS letterhead, if the trust has an EIN
Required Documents
- Valid identification (for every trustee). For example, a driver's license, U.S. military ID or passport
- Notarized trust documents. Naming the trust, grantors, beneficiaries, trustees, and successor trustees (if applicable)
- EIN documentation on IRS letterhead (if the trust has an EIN)
- Specialized account application. An internal RBFCU form, completed and signed
- Master membership application (if applicable). An internal RBFCU form
Beneficiary designation is not available for investment accounts at RBFCU.
- Name, relationship, date of birth, SSN or TIN, and address of each beneficiary
- Primary or contingent share percentage for each beneficiary
- Spousal consent section where required
Required Documents
- Each POD payee's legal name, address, date of birth and Social Security number (for a POD payee on a deposit account)
- Each beneficiary's name, relationship, date of birth, SSN or TIN, and address (for an IRA)
- Primary or contingent share percentage for each beneficiary (for an IRA)
- IRA Designation or Change of Beneficiary Form, completed (for an IRA)
- Photo ID (at a branch). RBFCU requires photo ID for all branch transactions
- Name, relationship, date of birth, SSN or TIN, and address of each beneficiary
- Primary or contingent share percentage for each beneficiary
- Spousal consent section where required
Required Documents
- Each POD payee's legal name, address, date of birth and Social Security number (for a POD payee on a deposit account)
- Each beneficiary's name, relationship, date of birth, SSN or TIN, and address (for an IRA)
- Primary or contingent share percentage for each beneficiary (for an IRA)
- IRA Designation or Change of Beneficiary Form, completed (for an IRA)
- Photo ID (at a branch). RBFCU requires photo ID for all branch transactions
What RBFCU says about beneficiaries and trusts
Each section is RBFCU's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
Which accounts take a beneficiary2
- Payable-on-death account
POD designations apply to personal accounts, single-party or multiple-party.1
How many beneficiaries, and how shares are split
What a designation takes to be effective
Beneficiary forms RBFCU issues1
- IRA Designation or Change of Beneficiary Form
For IRAs. Completed by the IRA owner. Available to download.2
Which accounts a trust can hold1
- Trust account
Under the Membership Agreement, RBFCU may accept deposits in the name of a revocable or irrevocable trust, and it serves solely as a depository for the trust funds.1
What RBFCU says about trust accounts3
- Who signs for the trust
Under the Membership Agreement, RBFCU may release funds on the signature of any trustee.1
- Membership
For a revocable trust account, all grantors or settlors must qualify for membership and at least one must have an account at RBFCU.5
For an irrevocable trust account, all grantors or settlors and beneficiaries must qualify for membership and at least one must have an account at RBFCU.5
- Fees
RBFCU notary services are free to members at any location, but RBFCU does not notarize trusts or wills.5
Accounts handled elsewhere2
- RBFCU Trust Services
Serving as successor trustee or trust administrator, through Members Trust Company6
Phone: 1-210-637-4117
Email: trustservices@rbfcu.org
- RBFCU Investments Group (Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC)
Investment accounts held through Ameriprise Financial Services4
Phone: 1-210-637-4569
Toll-free: 1-888-294-0202
Not in RBFCU's published guidance2
- An online way to name a beneficiary
- A mail channel for beneficiary changes
Sources
Data sourced from RBFCU primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these RBFCU instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against RBFCU primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
RBFCU estate support
RBFCU Trust Services
Phone
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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