How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Stifel
Covers 9 investment, 4 retirement, and 2 insurance accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Stifel Support (Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM-6:00 PM CT)
Phone1-314-342-2255
Toll-Free1-800-679-5446
Mailing Address
Stifel Financial, One Financial Plaza, 501 North Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102
WebsiteLearn more→
Stifel Trust Company, N.A.
Phone1-314-342-4450
Toll-Free1-866-303-8003
Mailing Address
Stifel Trust Company, N.A., One Financial Plaza, 501 North Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims (via Stifel Support, Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM-6:00 PM CT)
Phone1-314-342-2255
Toll-Free1-800-679-5446
Mailing Address
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, One Financial Plaza, 501 North Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102
Verified Jul 2026
The key to protecting your Stifel investment accounts is making sure each one has a transfer mechanism in place—either a beneficiary designation or trust ownership. Without one, the account goes through probate, adding time, cost, and court involvement for your family.
Stifel has 15 investment accounts with different estate transfer rules. Here is how beneficiary designations, trust ownership, and probate apply to each one.
Stifel Brokerage AccountJoint Account with Rights of SurvivorshipStifel Fundamentals ProgramStifel Horizon ProgramStifel Solutions ProgramStifel Opportunity ProgramCustom Advisory Portfolio (CAP) ProgramStifel Summit ProgramStifel Trust Account
1
Prepare for your branch visit:
- Visit your Stifel financial advisor at your local branch office
- Bring government-issued photo ID
2
Complete the beneficiary designation form:
- Advisor provides the Transfer on Death Agreement and Beneficiary Designation form (for brokerage accounts) or IRA Beneficiary Designation form (for retirement accounts)
- Complete the form with each beneficiary's full legal name, relationship, date of birth, SSN, and percentage allocation
- Designate primary and contingent beneficiaries
- If married in a community property state and not naming spouse as sole primary: complete spousal consent section
3
Sign and date the form; advisor submits to Stifel's Director of Operations for acceptance
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- All beneficiary changes require working through a financial advisor
- No confirmed self-service online beneficiary management
- TOD Agreement must be received and accepted by Director of Operations or designee
- Stifel recommends reviewing beneficiary designations annually and after major life events
- In community property states, spousal consent may be required when spouse is not sole primary beneficiary
Sources
Data sourced from Stifel primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Stifel instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Stifel primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Stifel Support (Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM-6:00 PM CT)
Phone1-314-342-2255
Toll-Free1-800-679-5446
Mailing Address
Stifel Financial, One Financial Plaza, 501 North Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102
WebsiteLearn more→
Stifel Trust Company, N.A.
Phone1-314-342-4450
Toll-Free1-866-303-8003
Mailing Address
Stifel Trust Company, N.A., One Financial Plaza, 501 North Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims (via Stifel Support, Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM-6:00 PM CT)
Phone1-314-342-2255
Toll-Free1-800-679-5446
Mailing Address
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, One Financial Plaza, 501 North Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Stifel accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
