What to do when a Resolution Life account holder dies
Report the death to Resolution Life's Claims at 1-877-886-5050
Resolution Life has changed ownershipAcquired, effective October 2025
Nippon Life Insurance Company completed its acquisition of 100% of Resolution Life's shares on 31 October 2025. Resolution Life operates under its own name as part of the Nippon Life group. Moses Ojeisekhoba became CEO on July 1, 2026, and Sir Clive Cowdery continues as Executive Chairman.
A death claim on a Resolution Life policy is filed through the Claims (1-877-886-5050). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
Before contacting Resolution Life, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Resolution Life works as follows:
Filing a claim
- Read the company name on the policy document. It will be the original carrier, such as ReliaStar, Security Life of Denver, Southland, Northwestern National, Equitable Life of Iowa or Midwestern United
- Venerable, Voya, ING and Farmers New World Life are also original carriers
- Enter that name in the policyholder lookup. It returns the claims phone number and claims portal for that carrier
- ReliaStar, Security Life of Denver, Voya, ING and the rest of that group: "Notify us of a Passing" on the claims portal, or call Claims at 877-886-5050
- Farmers New World Life: "Notify us of a Passing" on the Farmers New World Life claims portal, or call 800-238-9671 and follow the prompts for claims
- The online notification asks for your name, phone, email and address, your relationship to the insured, and any funeral home assignment
- It also asks for the insured's name, date of birth, policy number, Social Security number, date and location of passing, cause of death, and marital status
- Voya group: email claimdocs@resolutionlife.us, or mail to Resolution Life Claims, PO Box 981332, Boston, MA 02298-1332 (overnight: 10 Dan Road Dock 2, Canton, MA 02021-2809)
- Farmers New World Life: email ClaimDocs@lifeservice.farmersinsurance.com, or mail to Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, PO Box 981334, Boston, MA 02298-1334
- Farmers New World Life overnight mail: 10 Dan Rd Dock 2, Canton, MA 02021-2809
Required Documents
- Death certificate showing cause and manner of deathA photocopy is generally accepted on claims under $1,000,000. A certified death certificate is required on claims of $1,000,000 or more. Some exceptions may apply. One death certificate is required per claim.
- A completed claim form from each named beneficiaryClaim forms are state specific.
- Trust verification form, if a trust is the beneficiaryThe trustee completes it. It is included with the initial claims packet when appropriate.
- Small estate affidavit, if the estate is the beneficiary and the state allows payment under a small estate affidavit for a benefit under its limit
- Certified copy of the letters of administration for the estate of the insured, if the estate is the beneficiary and the benefit exceeds the state's small estate affidavit limit
- Legal documentation appointing a guardian of the minor's estate, if a beneficiary is a minor and Resolution Life requests it
- Additional documentation for a death abroad, if the death occurred abroadThis can include a foreign death questionnaire.
- Documentation such as IRS Form W-8, if the beneficiary is not a US citizen and Resolution Life requests it
- Divorce decree and property settlement agreement, if the beneficiary is an ex-spouseThese may be required.
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms Resolution Life issues2
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Farmers New World Life claims
Claims on Farmers New World Life policies, which Resolution Life administers5, 2, 6
Phone: 1-800-238-9671
Email: ClaimDocs@lifeservice.farmersinsurance.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Eastern on Resolution Life's lookup; 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Pacific on the Farmers New World Life claims portal
Mailing address: Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, PO Box 981334, Boston, MA 02298-1334
What Resolution Life provides to the estate1
- Tax forms
On request, Resolution Life provides IRS Form 712.7
What Resolution Life's agreement and guidance say2
- Contestability of a recent policy
A death within two years of the policy's issue or reinstatement date is a contestable claim and is investigated before payment. The claims FAQ says the investigation can take two to three months after the claim documents are received.3, 4
- Accounts from a merged institution
Resolution Life completed its acquisition of Voya Financial's in-force individual life business on 4 January 2021, including Security Life of Denver Insurance Company and Midwestern United Life Insurance Company. It also reinsured Voya's remaining in-force individual life and annuity blocks.8
On 1 August 2023 Farmers New World Life ceded its in-force individual life business to Security Life of Denver, and Resolution Life began administering the reinsured policies. Those policies keep their own claims phone number, claims portal and email addresses.9
The Voya-group claims FAQ lists ReliaStar, ReliaStar of New York, Security Life of Denver, Venerable and Midwestern United as carriers whose life claims Resolution Life may handle. The policyholder lookup lists the full set of carriers.3, 5
Not in Resolution Life's published guidance1
- A fax number for claim documents
Sources9
- 1.Resolution Life claims portal: Claim Forms
- 2.Farmers New World Life claims portal
- 3.Resolution Life claims portal: FAQ
- 4.Farmers New World Life claims portal: FAQ
- 5.Policyholders (carrier lookup)
- 6.Farmers New World Life claims portal: Contact Us
- 7.Resolution Life claims portal
- 8.Resolution Life completes acquisition of Voya Financial's individual life in-force business
- 9.Resolution Life completes strategic transaction with Farmers New World Life Insurance Company
The goal is 5 to 10 business days after all required documents are received, plus mailing time. If more review is required, notice is mailed within 30 days.
Resolution Life's Claims can be reached by phone at 1-877-886-5050 and email at claimdocs@resolutionlife.us for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Resolution Life primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
Resolution Life death claims support
Claims
Phone
Farmers New World Life claims
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Resolution Life 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.
