What to do when a SBLI account holder dies
Contact SBLI — 8-step process, 7 required documents, and sbli responds to death claims within two business days of notification. claim processing time depends on the completeness of documentation submitted. missing or incomplete information may delay processing.
SBLI Customer Service
SBLI, P.O. Box 55249, Boston, MA 02205-5249
SBLI Customer Service
SBLI, P.O. Box 55249, Boston, MA 02205-5249
SBLI Claims
SBLI, P.O. Box 55249, Boston, MA 02205-5249
When an insured person dies, the beneficiary or executor should contact SBLI's SBLI Claims at 1-800-694-7254 to start the claims process. Insurance proceeds are paid directly to the named beneficiary and do not go through probate. How quickly the claim is processed depends on the policy type, documentation, and cause of death.
SBLI provides an online portal for initiating death claims, which can simplify the initial notification and document submission process. Claims can also be started by phone or by mailing the required documents.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with SBLI:
Filing a claim
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Policy number (if available)
- Government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary
- Lump-sum payment
- Easy Option Account (funds earn interest at a competitive rate with no annual fee or charges for drafts)
- Other payment options as described in the policy (some options may be limited or excluded by state law)
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary (claimant)
- Completed life insurance claim form signed by the beneficiary before a witness
- Policy number or other identifying information for the policy
- If the beneficiary is a trust: trust documentation including trustee identification and successor trustee provisions
- If the beneficiary is a minor: court-appointed guardianship documentation
- Additional documentation may be requested depending on cause of death (e.g., police report for accidental death, medical records)
Claims Contact
What to know at this institution
The named beneficiary should complete the claim form and sign it before a witness, who should also sign. If there is more than one beneficiary, each must complete a separate form. SBLI offers multiple payment options for death benefit proceeds, including lump-sum and an Easy Option Account that earns interest. Some payment options may be limited or excluded by state law. For accidental death benefit rider claims, additional documentation regarding the circumstances of the accident may be required. Claims can be reported online at my.sbli.com/ReportDeath.aspx or by calling 800-694-7254.
How long the process takes at SBLI: SBLI responds to death claims within two business days of notification. Claim processing time depends on the completeness of documentation submitted. Missing or incomplete information may delay processing. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Documentation required by SBLI includes Certified copy of the death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary (claimant), and Completed life insurance claim form signed by the beneficiary before a witness, along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Report the death online at my.sbli.com/ReportDeath.aspx or call SBLI Customer Service at 800-694-7254 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time). SBLI will respond within two business days and provide the claim form. The named beneficiary completes the form, signs it before a witness (who must also sign), and submits it with a certified copy of the death certificate and a government-issued photo ID. Each beneficiary must complete a separate claim form. Completed forms can be mailed to SBLI, P.O. Box 55249, Boston, MA 02205-5249.
Yes. SBLI provides a Trust Ownership Designation form (Form K-71C) for transferring policy ownership to an ILIT. Once ownership is transferred, the death benefit is generally removed from the insured's taxable estate (subject to the IRS three-year lookback rule under IRC Section 2035). You will need the trust name, date of trust, trustee information, trust EIN, and a copy of the trust agreement or Certification of Trust. The form must be signed by both the current policy owner and the new trustee(s). Request the form by calling 800-694-7254 or emailing records@sbli.com.
Yes. Every SBLI whole life policy includes free access to LegacyShield, a secure digital vault for storing estate planning documents (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives), insurance policies, and other important records. LegacyShield also includes a basic will-creation tool. The benefit transfers to your designated beneficiary or legacy contact at death, which can help your family locate documents quickly during estate settlement.
SBLI's SBLI Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-694-7254, email at customerservice@sbli.com, and fax at 1-781-994-4240 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple SBLI policies, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The SBLI Claims can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Sources
Data sourced from SBLI primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
SBLI Customer Service
SBLI, P.O. Box 55249, Boston, MA 02205-5249
SBLI Customer Service
SBLI, P.O. Box 55249, Boston, MA 02205-5249
SBLI Claims
SBLI, P.O. Box 55249, Boston, MA 02205-5249
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