What to do when a Reliance Standard account holder dies
Contact Reliance Standard — 4-step process, 8 required documents, and group life insurance death claims are typically processed within 30 to 60 days from receipt of all required documentation. individual life and annuity claims may take longer depending on documentation completeness. delays may occur if the claim is within the contestability period, documentation is incomplete, or further investigation is required.
Customer Care (Individual/Legacy Policies)
Phone1-800-435-7775
Fax267-256-3532
Mailing Address
Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, 1700 Market Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Group Benefits (Reliance Matrix)
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Care (Individual/Legacy Policies)
Phone1-800-435-7775
Fax267-256-3532
Mailing Address
Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, 1700 Market Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Group Benefits (Reliance Matrix)
WebsiteLearn more→
Claims Department
Phone1-800-351-7500
Fax267-256-3519
Mailing Address
Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 7307, Philadelphia, PA 19101-7307
Individual Life/Annuity Claims
Annuity Claims Fax
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
A death claim on a Reliance Standard policy is filed through the Claims Department (1-800-351-7500). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
Reliance Standard offers an online claims portal that makes the initial filing process more straightforward. Survivors can also initiate claims by phone or by mailing documentation directly.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Reliance Standard works as follows:
Filing a claim
1
Gather preliminary information:
- Locate the Reliance Standard policy or group certificate and note the policy/certificate number
- Obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate from the local vital records office
2
Report the death to Reliance Standard:
- For group life claims: notify the deceased employee's employer or benefits administrator, who will initiate the claim
- Or call Reliance Standard at 800-351-7500 to report the death directly
- For individual (legacy) life claims: call Customer Care at 800-435-7775 or visit reliancestandardlife.com/file-a-claim
3
Complete the required claim forms:
- Complete the Proof of Loss Claim Statement / Death Benefit Claim form
- Each beneficiary must complete a separate claim form
- If the beneficiary is a trust, the trustee must complete the claim form and provide a Trust Certification form (EF-2989)
- For individual annuity claims: complete the Annuity Death Claim Form (EF-3500), one per beneficiary
- Attach a certified death certificate showing cause and manner of death
4
Submit completed forms:
- Mail to: Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 7307, Philadelphia, PA 19101-7307
- Or fax claim forms to: 267-256-3519
Required Documents
- Completed Death Benefit Claim form or Proof of Loss Claim Statement (one per beneficiary)
- Certified death certificate showing cause and manner of death
- Government-issued ID for the beneficiary
- Policy or certificate number and deceased's information
- Trust Certification form (EF-2989) and trustee ID if a trust is the beneficiary
- Original annuity contract or Lost Policy Affidavit (for annuity claims)
- Annuity Death Claim Form (EF-3500) for annuity death claims
- Birth certificate of beneficiary (if certain settlement options with life contingency are selected)
For group life claims, the employer or benefits administrator typically initiates the claim process. Each beneficiary must complete a separate claim form. If the beneficiary is a trust, the trustee completes the form and provides a Trust Certification form (EF-2989). For individual (legacy) policies, contact Customer Care at 800-435-7775 or email claims@reliancestandardlife.com. For annuity death claims, use the Annuity Death Claim Form (EF-3500) available at reliancestandardlife.com/forms-and-consumer-information. For individual annuity claims, fax to 267-256-4713 or mail to Retirement Services Operations - Inforce, 1700 Market Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Expected timelines at Reliance Standard: Group life insurance death claims are typically processed within 30 to 60 days from receipt of all required documentation. Individual life and annuity claims may take longer depending on documentation completeness. Delays may occur if the claim is within the contestability period, documentation is incomplete, or further investigation is required. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Reliance Standard requires several documents to process a claim, including Completed Death Benefit Claim form or Proof of Loss Claim Statement (one per beneficiary), Certified death certificate showing cause and manner of death, and Government-issued ID for the beneficiary, and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
An ILIT is a legal arrangement where a trust owns a life insurance policy, removing the death benefit from the grantor's taxable estate. Reliance Standard life insurance policies can be assigned to an ILIT. The trust can own the policy from inception, or an existing policy can be transferred to the trust, subject to a three-year lookback rule under IRC Section 2035. For group life insurance, the ability to assign ownership to an ILIT may depend on your employer's plan terms. Reliance Standard does not set up ILITs; you must work with an estate attorney to establish one.
For group life claims, notify the deceased employee's employer or benefits administrator, who will initiate the claim with Reliance Standard. You can also call Reliance Standard at 800-351-7500 (Monday-Friday 8:00am-7:00pm ET) to report the death directly. Each beneficiary must complete a separate Death Benefit Claim form. If the beneficiary is a trust, the trustee must complete the form and provide a Trust Certification form (EF-2989). Include a certified death certificate showing cause and manner of death. Mail completed forms to Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 7307, Philadelphia, PA 19101-7307, or fax to 267-256-3519.
For individual (legacy) life insurance and annuity claims, call Customer Care at 800-435-7775 or visit reliancestandardlife.com/file-a-claim. Complete the appropriate claim form (Death Benefit Claim form for life insurance, or Annuity Claims Packet form EF-3500 for annuities). Each beneficiary submits a separate claim form. Include a certified death certificate showing cause and manner of death. For annuity claims, include the original annuity contract or a Lost Policy Affidavit. Annuity claim forms can be downloaded from reliancestandardlife.com/annuity-forms.
No. Short-term disability, long-term disability, dental, and vision insurance policies are health and income replacement products with no cash value or death benefit that transfers to a beneficiary. They cannot be retitled to a trust and terminate upon the insured's death or end of coverage. These policies are not relevant to estate planning beyond ensuring ongoing coverage during the employee's lifetime.
Reliance Standard's Claims Department can be reached by phone at 1-800-351-7500, email at claims@reliancestandardlife.com, and fax at 267-256-3519 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Reliance Standard policies may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Claims Department to confirm what applies.
Customer Care (Individual/Legacy Policies)
Phone1-800-435-7775
Fax267-256-3532
Mailing Address
Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, 1700 Market Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Group Benefits (Reliance Matrix)
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Care (Individual/Legacy Policies)
Phone1-800-435-7775
Fax267-256-3532
Mailing Address
Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, 1700 Market Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Group Benefits (Reliance Matrix)
WebsiteLearn more→
Claims Department
Phone1-800-351-7500
Fax267-256-3519
Mailing Address
Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 7307, Philadelphia, PA 19101-7307
Individual Life/Annuity Claims
Annuity Claims Fax
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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