What to do when a Southern Farm Bureau Life account holder dies
Contact Southern Farm Bureau Life — 6-step process, 6 required documents, and claims are typically processed within 30 days after all required documentation is received, in accordance with state prompt-payment laws.
Policy Administration
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 78, Jackson, MS 39205
Policy Administration
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 78, Jackson, MS 39205
Death Claims Department
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 78, Jackson, MS 39205
A death claim on a Southern Farm Bureau Life policy is filed through the Death Claims Department (1-800-562-0919). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
The first step is contacting Southern Farm Bureau Life at 1-800-562-0919 with the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate in hand.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Southern Farm Bureau Life requires:
Filing a claim
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Policy number(s) for the deceased
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimant/beneficiary
- Claimant's Statement (provided by the claims department)
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Copy of the claimant's government-issued photo ID
- If the beneficiary is a trust: trust documentation including the relevant trustee provisions and trustee identification
- Lump sum payment
- Interest-bearing account with check-writing privileges
- Annuity payout options (periodic installments)
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimant/beneficiary
- Policy number(s) for the deceased
- Completed Claimant's Statement form (provided by the claims department)
- For trust beneficiaries: trust documentation including trustee provisions and trustee identification
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if the claim is filed by an estate representative rather than a named beneficiary)
Claims Contact
What to know at this institution
Life insurance death benefits are generally paid income tax-free to named beneficiaries under IRC Section 101(a). If no beneficiary is named or all beneficiaries have predeceased the insured, the death benefit is paid to the policyholder's estate and may be subject to probate. Annuity death benefits may have different tax treatment depending on whether the annuity is qualified or non-qualified. Contact the Death Claims line at 1-800-562-0919 for specific guidance on your claim. Local Farm Bureau agents can also assist with initiating the claims process.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Southern Farm Bureau Life
Southern Farm Bureau Life asks for a letter of instruction alongside its claim form. We prepare a transmittal cover letter and the enclosure checklist Southern Farm Bureau Life requires.
Build your letter of instructionHow long the process takes at Southern Farm Bureau Life: Claims are typically processed within 30 days after all required documentation is received, in accordance with state prompt-payment laws. 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 Southern Farm Bureau Life includes Certified copy of the death certificate, Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimant/beneficiary, and Policy number(s) for the deceased, along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Policy ownership can be transferred to a revocable or irrevocable trust by completing an ownership change (assignment) form. For Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs), the trust can be the owner and beneficiary of the policy to keep the death benefit out of the insured's taxable estate. Note that transferring an existing policy to an ILIT triggers a 3-year look-back period under IRC Section 2035 for estate tax purposes. Contact your Farm Bureau agent or call 1-800-457-9611 to request the forms.
Use the Find an Agent tool at sfbli.com/FindAnAgent to locate a local Farm Bureau agent. You can search by ZIP code, city, or state. Farm Bureau agents can assist with purchasing new coverage, making policy changes, updating beneficiary designations, and filing claims.
If no beneficiary is designated or all named beneficiaries have predeceased the insured, the death benefit is paid to the policyholder's estate. In this case, the proceeds may be subject to probate. To avoid probate, ensure your beneficiary designations are current by contacting your Farm Bureau agent or calling 1-800-457-9611.
Southern Farm Bureau Life's Death Claims Department can be reached by phone at 1-800-562-0919 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Southern Farm Bureau Life primary sources (11 pages reviewed). How we research.
Policy Administration
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 78, Jackson, MS 39205
Policy Administration
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 78, Jackson, MS 39205
Death Claims Department
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 78, Jackson, MS 39205
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