How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Sammons Financial
Covers 10 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
North American - Life Insurance, One Sammons Plaza, Sioux Falls, SD 57193; North American - Annuity, 8300 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266
North American - Life Insurance, One Sammons Plaza, Sioux Falls, SD 57193; North American - Annuity, 8300 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Death Claims (Life Insurance: 800-733-2524 | Annuity Claims: 877-880-6367)
Life Insurance: One Sammons Plaza, Sioux Falls, SD 57193 | Annuity: P.O. Box 10385, Des Moines, IA 50306-0385 (also 8300 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266)
Estate planning with Sammons Financial policies centers on beneficiary designations—the single most important step for ensuring life insurance proceeds and annuity benefits reach the intended recipients without probate involvement. Unlike bank or brokerage accounts, insurance products are not retitled into trusts; instead, trusts are named as beneficiaries when estate tax planning or controlled distributions are needed.
Sammons Financial has 10 product types, and the estate transfer rules differ across them. Some support beneficiary designations, some can be retitled into a trust, and others will require probate if nothing is set up. Each is covered below.
- For North American policies: visit northamericancompany.com and log in to your account
- For Midland National policies: visit midlandnational.com and log in to your account
- Provide trust name, grantor(s), trustee(s), and Tax Identification Number
- A Testamentary Trust cannot be named as owner; if a Testamentary Trust is sole primary beneficiary, a contingent beneficiary is required
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Identify which member company issued your policy: North American Company or Midland National
- A Testamentary Trust cannot be named as owner of a policy
- If a Testamentary Trust is the sole primary beneficiary, a contingent beneficiary is required
- The insurer reserves the right to request and receive a copy of the trust documents if necessary
- Before paying death proceeds, the insurer may require proof that the trust is in full force and effect
- If designating a Charitable Trust, Certification of Charitable Trust (form 26742Y) must be attached
- Multiple owners require designation of one address for all policy correspondence
Sources
Data sourced from Sammons Financial primary sources (22 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Sammons Financial instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Sammons Financial primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
North American - Life Insurance, One Sammons Plaza, Sioux Falls, SD 57193; North American - Annuity, 8300 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266
North American - Life Insurance, One Sammons Plaza, Sioux Falls, SD 57193; North American - Annuity, 8300 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Death Claims (Life Insurance: 800-733-2524 | Annuity Claims: 877-880-6367)
Life Insurance: One Sammons Plaza, Sioux Falls, SD 57193 | Annuity: P.O. Box 10385, Des Moines, IA 50306-0385 (also 8300 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266)
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.

New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
Learn more
Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
Learn more
New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
Learn more
Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreMore estate planning resources
Explore related tools and documents to complete your estate plan.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a will. See document costs plus probate fees your heirs will pay. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys.






