How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Sentinel Security Life
Beneficiaries are managed by mail. Trust paperwork is taken by mail
Beneficiary designations are the foundation of estate planning for Sentinel Security Life policies. Unlike bank accounts, insurance products cannot be retitled into a trust. Instead, the beneficiary designation itself determines who receives the proceeds and how quickly they're paid. Naming a trust as beneficiary is an option when more control over distributions is needed.
Sentinel Security Life has 13 policies with different estate transfer rules. Here is how beneficiary designations, trust ownership, and probate apply to each one.
Beneficiary form at Sentinel Security Life
Change of Beneficiary (Annuity) (for annuitys).
Required Documents
- Owner's name as it appears on the policy, and the policy number
- Owner's mailing address, SSN or taxpayer ID number, and daytime telephone number
- Beneficiary's name, percentage share and relationship to the owner (for each primary and contingent beneficiary)
- Beneficiary's mailing address, date of birth, SSN or taxpayer ID number, and daytime phone (for each primary and contingent beneficiary)
- Pages of the trust showing the trust name, trustee, successor trustee and tax ID number (when a trust is named as primary beneficiary). Sent with the form
- Relevant parts of the divorce decree (in case of divorce). The front page, the signature page and any page referencing the contract
- Complete the Owner Change Form from the Policyholder FORMS page
- Include the trust documents, which Sentinel requires for a non-natural owner such as a trust
Required Documents
- Owner Change Form, completed (for a final expense policy)
- Trust documents (for a trust as policy owner)
What Sentinel Security Life says about beneficiaries and trusts
Each section is Sentinel Security Life's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
Who can be named1
- A trust, annuitys
A trust can be named as primary beneficiary of an annuity.1
How many beneficiaries, and how shares are split
- Annuity
The form takes primary and contingent beneficiaries with a percentage share for each. Where no percentages are given for multiple beneficiaries, they share equally.1
What a designation takes to be effective
- Annuity
The owner and any joint owner sign and date the form. If the policy was issued in a community property state, the owner's spouse signs the form; without the spouse's signature, the owner notes the current marital status.1
Beneficiary forms Sentinel Security Life issues1
- Change of Beneficiary (Annuity)
For annuitys. Completed by the owner and any joint owner. Sent by the institution on request.1
Return to
Mailing address: Annuities: PO Box 64435, St Paul, MN 55164-0435
What Sentinel Security Life's agreement says about beneficiaries4
- When a designation takes effect
The change must be received on a form satisfactory to the company, and takes effect on the date signed.1
- Changing or revoking a designation
A change of beneficiary revokes all prior designations.1
- Divorce
In case of divorce, the relevant parts of the divorce decree go with the form. If the decree does not mention the contract, the former spouse signs the form.1
- A minor as beneficiary
Sentinel strongly discourages naming minor children as primary beneficiary, because claim proceeds cannot be paid to minor children. A trust or guardianship must be established for a minor to receive the proceeds.1
Which accounts a trust can hold1
- Life insurance policy
A trust can be made the owner of a final expense policy with the Owner Change Form. Sentinel requires the trust documents for a non-natural owner such as a trust.2
Trust account forms Sentinel Security Life issues1
- Owner Change Form
For life insurance policys. Completed online.2
Sources2
- 1.Change of Beneficiary (Annuity), form SSLAN COB REV 01.2025
- 2.Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Data sourced from Sentinel Security Life primary sources (21 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Sentinel Security Life instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Sentinel Security Life primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Sentinel Security Life estate support
Sentinel Security Life
Phone
Fax
Mailing address
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Estate requests go through general customer service.
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