What to do when a Sammons Financial account holder dies
Report the death to Sammons Financial's Life Claims at 1-800-733-2524
Filing a death claim on a Sammons Financial policy begins with notifying the Life Claims at 1-800-733-2524. Life insurance claims are separate from probate—proceeds transfer directly to named beneficiaries regardless of whether the estate goes through court. The timeline and documentation requirements depend on the policy type and cause of death.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Sammons Financial requires:
Filing a claim
- Report online on the North American page or the Midland National page.
- An online notification requires a valid policy number and all required fields.
- Life claims: call 800-733-2524 (international: 712-847-1350).
- Annuity claims: call 877-880-6367 (international: 712-847-1341).
- Phone hours are Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST.
- Life: Claimant Statement (O-2818-1 North American, 3864-1 Midland National), with instructions O-2816-2 / 13945-2. Each beneficiary completes their own claimant statement.
- Life forms with whiteout are not accepted; correct an error, then initial and date the change.
- Annuity: claimant statement (14497Z North American, 14497Y Midland National), completed by the beneficiary.
- Life claims: only one beneficiary needs to supply it when there are multiple beneficiaries.
- A copy is acceptable if the total amount of all claims is less than $500,000 and the death occurred within the United States. The company reserves the right to require an original.
- Original death certificates submitted are not returned.
- Life claims: contestable and foreign claims require an original certified death certificate.
- Annuity claims: the Claims FAQs say the claim letter states whether an original or a copy is required.
- Annuity claims: a foreign claim requires an original death certificate issued by the country where the death occurred.
- Trust: completed Certification of Trust (L-3172A North American life, 7519 Midland National life, 19306Z North American annuity, 19306Y Midland National annuity).
- Life proceeds of $250,000 or more payable to a trust also require a notarized Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Release (O-2797 North American, 12973 Midland National).
- A charitable trust on an annuity uses the Certification of Charitable Trust (26742Z / 26742Y) with a completed IRS Form W-9 showing the exemption code.
- Estate: a court certificate of appointment. On a life claim the executor or administrator completes the claimant statement and provides a separate Tax Identification Number for the estate.
- Power of attorney: Certificate of Power of Attorney (O-2876 / 19656 life, 19656Z / 19656Y annuity).
- Surviving children designation: Affidavit of Surviving Children (O-2794 / 6506 life, notarized, from one surviving child; 11734Z / 11734Y annuity).
- Death outside the United States: the foreign death certificate, the Foreign Death Questionnaire, and a Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad.
- Life claims for a death outside the United States also require Claimant Statement Part II and a HIPAA authorization.
- A. Spousal continuance: available only to the deceased owner's spouse who is the sole primary beneficiary; the spouse becomes the new owner of the contract.
- B. Lump sum by ACH, by check, or via an access account (minimum $15,000); the W-4P form is not required.
- C. Annuity payment plan (income for a specified period, life annuity, life annuity with period certain, or income for a specified amount); return the W-4P form.
- D. Non-qualified stretch: payout over the beneficiary's life expectancy on a non-qualified contract.
- E. Inherited IRA: set up with the issuing company (new business paperwork), or with an external company (a transfer form and letter of acceptance).
Required Documents
- Death certificate with cause and manner of deathLife: a copy is acceptable when all claims total less than $500,000 and the death occurred in the United States. Annuity: the claim letter states whether an original or a copy is required.
- Original certified death certificate, on a contestable or foreign life claimOriginal death certificates submitted are not returned.
- Original death certificate issued by the country where the death occurred, on a foreign annuity claimAn original death certificate is not returned.
- Completed claimant statementO-2818-1 North American life, 3864-1 Midland National life, 14497Z North American annuity, 14497Y Midland National annuity.
- Certification of Trust, if a trust is the beneficiaryL-3172A North American life, 7519 Midland National life, 19306Z North American annuity, 19306Y Midland National annuity.
- Notarized Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Release (O-2797 / 12973), if life proceeds of $250,000 or more are payable to a trustO-2797 North American, 12973 Midland National.
- Certification of Charitable Trust (26742Z / 26742Y) and IRS Form W-9, if a charitable trust is the beneficiary of an annuityThe completed Form W-9 shows the exemption code.
- Court certificate of appointment, if proceeds are payable to the estateOn a life claim the executor or administrator completes the claimant statement and provides a separate Tax Identification Number for the estate.
- Certificate of Power of Attorney, for a power of attorneyO-2876 / 19656 for life claims, 19656Z / 19656Y for annuity claims.
- Affidavit of Surviving Children, for a surviving children designationLife forms O-2794 / 6506, notarized, from one surviving child. Annuity forms 11734Z / 11734Y.
- Foreign Death Questionnaire and Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad, if the death occurred outside the United StatesSent with the foreign death certificate. Life claims also require Claimant Statement Part II and a HIPAA authorization.
- IRS Form W-4P, if the annuity payment plan (Settlement Option C) is electedNot required for a lump sum.
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms Sammons Financial issues9
- Life Claimant Statement with instructions (Combined O-2816-2 & O-2818-1, North American)
Completed by each beneficiary. Available to download.1
- Life Claimant Statement (3864-1, Midland National)
Completed by each beneficiary. Available to download.2
- Annuity Proof of Death Claim Packet (14497Z, North American)
Completed by the beneficiary. Available to download.3
- Annuity Proof of Death Claim Packet (14497Y, Midland National)
Completed by the beneficiary. Available to download.4
- Certification of Trust Agreement (19306Z, North American annuity)
Available to download.5
- Certification of Charitable Trust (26742Z, North American annuity)
Available to download.6
- Certificate of Power of Attorney (19656Z, North American annuity)
Available to download.7
- Affidavit of Surviving Children (11734Z, North American annuity)
Available to download.8
- Foreign Death Questionnaire (14337Z, North American)
Available to download.9
What happens to each kind of account1
- Annuity
The deceased owner's spouse, if the sole primary beneficiary, may continue the contract and becomes its new owner. The other settlement options are a lump sum, an annuity payment plan, a non-qualified stretch over the beneficiary's life expectancy, and an inherited IRA.3, 4
An inherited IRA is set up with the issuing company, using new business paperwork, or with an external company, using a transfer form and letter of acceptance.3, 4
What Sammons Financial's agreement and guidance say2
- How proceeds are paid
Life proceeds are paid under the settlement option chosen on the claimant statement: a lump sum by check or ACH, a lump sum via an Access Account (minimum $15,000), an interest option, an installment option, or a life income option.10, 1, 11
An annuity lump sum is paid by ACH, by check, or via an access account (minimum $15,000).3, 4
- Payment to a minor or incapacitated beneficiary
On a life claim, if legal guardianship is not established for a minor beneficiary, the company holds the proceeds at interest until the minor reaches the age of majority.12
Sources12
- 1.Life Proof of Death Claimant's Statement (Combined O-2816-2 & O-2818-1, North American)
- 2.Life Claim Forms (Midland National)
- 3.Annuity Proof of Death Claim Packet (14497Z, North American), REV 2-26
- 4.Annuity Proof of Death Claim Packet (14497Y, Midland National), REV 2-26
- 5.Certification of Trust Agreement (19306Z, North American annuity)
- 6.Certification of Charitable Trust (26742Z, North American annuity)
- 7.Power of Attorney Certificate (19656Z, North American annuity)
- 8.Affidavit of Surviving Children (11734Z, North American annuity)
- 9.Foreign Death Questionnaire (14337Z, North American)
- 10.Beneficiary Information and Instructions (O-2816-2, North American), REV 6-25
- 11.Life claim instructions (13945-2, Midland National), REV 6-25
- 12.Report a Death (North American)
The processing goal is 10 calendar days after the final requirement is received. It may be extended if additional review or documentation is required.
Sammons Financial's Life Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-733-2524, email at claims@sfgmembers.com, and fax at 1-877-841-6706 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Sammons Financial primary sources (39 pages reviewed). How we research.
Sammons Financial death claims support
Life Claims (North American and Midland National)
Phone
Toll-free
Life claims (international)
Annuity claims
Annuity claims (international)
Annuity claims fax
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Sammons Financial 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.
