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What to do when a ShareBuilder 401k account holder dies

Report the death to ShareBuilder 401k at 1-800-431-7934

After an account holder at ShareBuilder 401k dies, accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer to the designated recipients without probate. Solely-owned accounts require the estate's representative to contact ShareBuilder 401k with the proper legal authority documents.

Before contacting ShareBuilder 401k, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready.

Death claim process

Here is the step-by-step death claim process at ShareBuilder 401k:

Filing a claim

1
Contact the employer that sponsors the plan. The ShareBuilder 401K participant website directs questions about a specific plan to the employer.
2
ShareBuilder 401k support lines are open Monday-Friday, 9AM-8PM EST:
  • Plan Sponsor Customer Support, for the employer: 1-800-431-7934 x3
  • Plan Participant Customer Support: 1-800-431-7934 x4
  • Participant Services, as listed on the ShareBuilder 401K participant website: 866-794-2158
3
Complete the death benefit distribution paperwork as issued for the plan.

Accounts handled elsewhere2

Ascensus

Participant data, as the third-party administrator on most plans1

ShareBuilder Trust

Holds Solo 401(k) Saver assets1

What ShareBuilder 401k's agreement and guidance say1

Fees

On full-service plans, the Custom Services schedule lists "Distribution benefits for death, disability or retirement" at $75 per event.2

On the Solo 401(k) Saver, ShareBuilder 401k lists "Distribution of benefits for death or disability" at $100.3

Not in ShareBuilder 401k's published guidance2

  • A list of required documents
  • A claim form

Sources3

Download instructions for the whole estate
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Sources

Data sourced from ShareBuilder 401k primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.

ShareBuilder 401k death claims support

ShareBuilder 401k

Plan Sponsor Customer Support

Plan Participant Customer Support

Participant Services (ShareBuilder 401K participant website)

Hours

Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-8:00 PM ET

Mailing address

ShareBuilder Advisors, LLC, 801 2nd Ave Suite 1400, Seattle, WA 98104

Death notifications go through general customer service.

Verified Sep 2026

Estate planning articles

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