How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at SchoolsFirst FCU
Covers 9 deposit, 3 retirement, and 1 investment accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Phone1-800-462-8328
Mailing Address
SchoolsFirst FCU, P.O. Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1547
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-462-8328
Mailing Address
SchoolsFirst FCU, P.O. Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1547
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone1-800-462-8328
Toll-Free1-800-462-8328
Fax(714) 258-4366
Mailing Address
SchoolsFirst FCU, Attention: Savings Account Administration, P.O. Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1547
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
There are two ways to keep your SchoolsFirst FCU accounts out of probate: adding Payable on Death designations and retitling accounts into a trust. Because SchoolsFirst FCU is a membership-based institution, trust retitling must maintain the membership eligibility requirement. Both methods ensure your accounts transfer directly to the people you choose, without court involvement.
Across 13 product types, SchoolsFirst FCU accounts vary in how they transfer at death. The sections below walk through Payable on Death (POD) designations, trust funding options, and which products support each method.
Free CheckingInvestment CheckingShare SavingsMy Club Custom SavingsLiquid Advantage Money MarketShare CertificateCollege Saver Share CertificateJunior Varsity Club MembershipVarsity Club Membership
1
Visit any of SchoolsFirst's 70+ California branches
2
Request a Beneficiary Designation Form for deposit accounts or IRA Beneficiary Designation Form for retirement accounts
3
Complete the form with primary and/or contingent beneficiary information:
- If neither primary nor contingent is indicated, the individual is deemed primary
- If multiple primary beneficiaries are named with no percentages, they share equally
4
Submit the signed form to a member service representative
5
Allow 2 business days for the update to become effective
Special Requirements
- POD beneficiaries for checking, savings, and money market must be natural persons (individuals only)
- Trusts, charities, and organizations cannot be named as POD beneficiaries on deposit accounts
- Share certificates allow charities and non-profits as beneficiaries
- To direct deposit account funds to your trust, retitle account to trust ownership instead of naming trust as beneficiary
- IRA beneficiaries use a separate IRA Beneficiary Designation Form
- 457(b) DCP beneficiaries use a separate DCP Beneficiary Designation Form (fax to 714-258-4185); changes effective within 5 business days
- Recommended to update after major life events (birth, marriage, divorce)
Sources
Data sourced from SchoolsFirst FCU primary sources (19 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these SchoolsFirst FCU instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against SchoolsFirst FCU primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Phone1-800-462-8328
Mailing Address
SchoolsFirst FCU, P.O. Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1547
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-462-8328
Mailing Address
SchoolsFirst FCU, P.O. Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1547
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone1-800-462-8328
Toll-Free1-800-462-8328
Fax(714) 258-4366
Mailing Address
SchoolsFirst FCU, Attention: Savings Account Administration, P.O. Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1547
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your SchoolsFirst FCU accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
