What to do when a Sammons Financial account holder dies

Processing timelines at Sammons Financial: Processing goal is 10 calendar days after receipt of all required documentation. Benefits are typically issued within two weeks to 60 days. Processing time may be extended if additional review or documentation is required. The funeral director handling final arrangements can usually help obtain certified death certificate copies. North American paid over $547 million in death claims on life insurance policies in 2024. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.

Documentation required by Sammons Financial includes Completed Claimant Statement / Proof of Death Claimant's Statement (form O-2818-1 for North American life, 3864-1 for Midland National life, 14497Z for North American annuity, 14497Y for Midland National annuity) - each beneficiary must submit their own, Original certified death certificate issued by the state in which the deceased passed away, with cause and manner of death listed (not a photocopy), and Policy or contract number, along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.

Sammons Financial's Death Claims (Life Insurance: 800-733-2524 | Annuity Claims: 877-880-6367) 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.

If the deceased held multiple Sammons Financial policies, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Death Claims (Life Insurance: 800-733-2524 | Annuity Claims: 877-880-6367) can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.