Sentinel Group
Subsidiary of Sentinel Group (brand name for Sentinel Benefits Group, LLC and affiliates)
sentinelgroup.comHow to designate beneficiaries at Sentinel Group
Beneficiaries are managed online
Beneficiary designations on Sentinel Group retirement retirement accounts carry more weight than most people realize. They override a will, control who receives the balance, and determine the tax treatment of inherited distributions. Reviewing these designations after any major life change is essential.
Each of Sentinel Group's 6 retirement accounts has different rules for how it transfers at death. The sections below explain the options for each.
Beneficiary form at Sentinel Group
Spousal consent form (for employer retirement plans).
Required Documents
- Plan Access Code (for a first-time online user). Provided by the employer
- Spousal consent form (when a beneficiary other than a spouse is named). Sentinel emails it after the change is submitted; an unmarried participant indicates that on the form
What Sentinel Group says about beneficiaries and trusts
Each section is Sentinel Group's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
Which accounts take a beneficiary1
How many beneficiaries, and how shares are split
- All accounts
Each beneficiary takes a percentage, entered as a number without a % sign; two beneficiaries splitting the account equally each get 50. Beneficiaries can be primary or contingent.1
What a designation takes to be effective
- Employer retirement plan
If a beneficiary other than a spouse is named, Sentinel emails a spousal consent form after the change is submitted. An unmarried participant indicates that on the form.1
Beneficiary forms Sentinel Group issues1
- Spousal consent form
For employer retirement plans. Completed by the participant's spouse, or the participant, who indicates on it if unmarried. Sent by the institution on request.1
What Sentinel Group's agreement says about beneficiaries1
- Online access
A new online user needs the Plan Access Code provided by the employer.2
Which accounts a trust can hold1
- Employer retirement plan
A plan account is not retitled to a trust. It reaches a trust only by beneficiary designation.1
Not in Sentinel Group's published guidance2
- Which trust documents it accepts
- A rule on naming a trust as beneficiary
Sources
Data sourced from Sentinel Group primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Sentinel Group instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Sentinel Group primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Sentinel Group estate support
Service Center
Phone
Toll-free
Main Telephone
Company General Fax
Sales
FSA Claim Submission Fax
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Estate requests go through general customer service.
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