Estate planning options at SDCCU
Estate planning at SDCCU means getting each account set up so it transfers automatically when you die—either through a POD beneficiary or trust ownership. Because SDCCU is a membership-based institution, trust retitling must maintain the membership eligibility requirement. Without one of these in place, accounts may require probate before your family can access the funds.
SDCCU offers 19 accounts, each with its own transfer rules. The sections below cover how to set up beneficiaries, fund a trust, and which products support each approach.
No beneficiary form at SDCCU
Required Documents
- Written trust agreement naming the trustee(s). The Fiduciary Accounts clause refers to a trustee "under a written trust agreement."
Beneficiary designation is not available for investment accounts at SDCCU.
What SDCCU says about beneficiaries and trusts
Each section is SDCCU's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
Which accounts take a beneficiary2
- Payable-on-death account
P.O.D. designations are made on accounts and recorded on SDCCU's account records.1
On a P.O.D. account with a single party, ownership passes to the named pay-on-death beneficiary on the death of that party.1
- Certificate of deposit
A P.O.D. designation can be made on a certificate and is recorded on SDCCU's account records.1
What SDCCU's agreement says about beneficiaries3
- Joint accounts
On a P.O.D. account with multiple parties, ownership passes to the survivor or survivors on the death of any party. On the death of all of them, it passes to the named pay-on-death beneficiary.1
- Membership
All owners of a joint account must meet SDCCU's qualifications for membership.1
- The institution's right to refuse a designation or an account title
SDCCU reserves the right to refuse some forms of ownership and beneficiary designations on any or all accounts, unless the law prohibits it.1
Which accounts a trust can hold1
- Trust account
An account may be opened and maintained by a person or persons named as a trustee under a written trust agreement.1
What SDCCU says about trust accounts1
- Review of the trust document
SDCCU will abide by the terms of any separate agreement which clearly pertains to the account and which is filed with it.1
By merely opening a trust account, SDCCU is not acting as a trustee of the trust and undertakes no obligation to monitor or enforce the terms of the trust.1
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- LPL Financial
Investment accounts through LPL Financial, which are not SDCCU deposits1
Not in SDCCU's published guidance5
- What the owner provides to name a beneficiary
- A beneficiary designation form
- An online way to name a beneficiary
- A procedure for holding an account in a trust
- A trust department or corporate trustee service
Sources1
- 1.Account Disclosures, effective July 1, 2026
Sources
Data sourced from SDCCU primary sources (10 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these SDCCU instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against SDCCU primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
SDCCU estate support
Member Services (Call Center)
Phone
From outside the U.S.
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Estate requests go through general customer service.
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your SDCCU 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 moreForms for Planning Your Estate
Free forms for planning your estate: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Last Will and Testament
Name your heirs, guardians, and final wishes. Free for every state.
Transfer on Death Deed
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate. Available in 34 states and the District of Columbia.
Tools for Planning Your Estate
Free tools for planning your estate: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare revocable living trust costs across providers including online services and attorneys.
How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?
Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.
Do I Need a Revocable Trust?
Find out if a revocable trust makes sense based on your state, estate value, and family situation.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
Compare the cost of probate vs a trust for your state and estate value.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
Compare costs across estate planning providers including online services and attorneys.
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
Calculate your life insurance needs based on income, debts, and family situation.
