How to designate beneficiaries at State Farm
Beneficiaries are managed online, in branch or by phone
For State Farm policyholders, estate planning comes down to one critical step: making sure the right beneficiaries are named on every policy. Insurance proceeds bypass probate entirely and go directly to whoever is listed—regardless of what a will says. When estate tax planning or controlled distributions are a factor, a trust can be named as beneficiary instead.
With 13 product types, State Farm offers a range of transfer options. Some policies support beneficiary designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
Beneficiary form at State Farm
Life beneficiary form.
- Log in to statefarm.com with your user name and password
- Locate and click on the policy you want to change
- Locate the Beneficiaries card and click "View or edit your beneficiaries"
- Agree to the Terms and Conditions
- Select which beneficiary to start with (primary or secondary), if applicable
- Edit, add, or remove beneficiaries (a relationship type is required when adding an individual)
- Adjust allocations, if needed
- Review changes on the life beneficiary form
- Sign through DocuSign and submit the changes
- Annuities (except variable deferred annuity): Annuities Operation Center, 877-543-3619
- Variable Universal Life and Variable Deferred Annuity: Variable Operation Center, 888-702-2307
Required Documents
- Relationship type of each individual beneficiary (when adding an individual online)
What State Farm says about beneficiaries
Each section is State Farm's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
Which accounts take a beneficiary2
- Life insurance policy
A State Farm agent can change the beneficiary on any life insurance policy. Guaranteed Issue Final Expense life insurance can also be changed online.1
If the agent is unavailable, a change on a Variable Universal Life policy can be initiated by phone through the Variable Operation Center.3
- Annuity
A State Farm agent can change the beneficiary on any annuity. The Guaranteed Income Now and Guaranteed Income Later annuities can also be changed online.1
If the agent is unavailable, a change on an annuity can be initiated by phone: through the Annuities Operation Center, or the Variable Operation Center for a variable deferred annuity.2, 3
Who can be named4
- A trust
A trust can be named as beneficiary of a life insurance policy or annuity through a State Farm agent, not online. A trust beneficiary can be viewed online but not changed there.1
- The estate
If an estate is listed as the primary beneficiary, a secondary beneficiary is not allowed.1
- An entity other than a trust or a business
An organization can be named as beneficiary through a State Farm agent, not online. An organization beneficiary can be viewed online but not changed there.1
- A class of people, such as "my children"
A Children Class designation can be made through a State Farm agent, not online. Online, a Children Class designation can be removed or edited but not added.1
How many beneficiaries, and how shares are split
- All accounts
A primary beneficiary is required, a secondary (successor) beneficiary is optional, and allocations can be adjusted. The same beneficiary cannot be both primary and successor.1
What a designation takes to be effective
- All accounts
Only the authenticated policy owner can change a beneficiary online, and online changes are signed through DocuSign.1
Beneficiary forms State Farm issues1
- Life beneficiary form
Completed by the policy owner, signed through DocuSign. Completed online.1
What State Farm's agreement says about beneficiaries1
- A minor as beneficiary
A UTMA/UGMA designation can be made through a State Farm agent, not online. A UTMA/UGMA designation can be viewed online but not changed there.1
State requirements State Farm statesNew York
- New York
Online beneficiary changes are not currently available in New York.1
Not in State Farm's published guidance1
- A procedure for holding an account in a trust
Sources
Data sourced from State Farm primary sources (19 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these State Farm instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against State Farm primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
State Farm estate support
Comments or questions
Phone
Website
Estate requests go through general customer service.
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your State Farm accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
Learn more
Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
Learn more
New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
Learn more
Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreForms for Planning Your Estate
Free forms for planning your estate: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Last Will and Testament
Name your heirs, guardians, and final wishes. Free for every state.
Transfer on Death Deed
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate. Available in 34 states and the District of Columbia.
Tools for Planning Your Estate
Free tools for planning your estate: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare revocable living trust costs across providers including online services and attorneys.
How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?
Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.
Do I Need a Revocable Trust?
Find out if a revocable trust makes sense based on your state, estate value, and family situation.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
Compare the cost of probate vs a trust for your state and estate value.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
Compare costs across estate planning providers including online services and attorneys.
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
Calculate your life insurance needs based on income, debts, and family situation.
