How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Savant Wealth
Covers 4 investment, and 5 retirement accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Savant Wealth Management
Savant Wealth Management, 190 Buckley Drive, Rockford, IL 61107
Death Claims (via Wealth Advisory Team)
Savant Wealth Management, 190 Buckley Drive, Rockford, IL 61107
The key to protecting your Savant Wealth investment accounts is making sure each one has a transfer mechanism in place—either a beneficiary designation or trust ownership. Without one, the account goes through probate, adding time, cost, and court involvement for your family.
Savant Wealth has 9 investment accounts with different estate transfer rules. Here is how beneficiary designations, trust ownership, and probate apply to each one.
- Visit your local Savant office
- Bring government-issued photo ID
- Advisor provides the appropriate beneficiary form for each account type
- Complete primary and contingent beneficiary information
- For qualified plans (401(k), 403(b)): spousal consent required if naming non-spouse beneficiary
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- All beneficiary changes are processed through your Savant wealth advisor
- Spousal consent required for non-spouse beneficiary designations on qualified retirement plans
- Savant recommends reviewing beneficiary designations annually and after major life events (marriage, divorce, birth, death)
- Beneficiary designations are processed through the account custodian (e.g., Schwab, Fidelity)
Sources
Data sourced from Savant Wealth primary sources (11 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Savant Wealth instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Savant Wealth primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Savant Wealth Management
Savant Wealth Management, 190 Buckley Drive, Rockford, IL 61107
Death Claims (via Wealth Advisory Team)
Savant Wealth Management, 190 Buckley Drive, Rockford, IL 61107
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