What to do when an Ubiquity account holder dies
Report the death to Ubiquity at 1-855-401-4357
After an account holder at Ubiquity 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 Ubiquity with the proper legal authority documents.
The claim process begins with a phone call to the institution. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate available when making initial contact.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Ubiquity requires:
Filing a claim
Required Documents
- Death certificate for the participant, if Ubiquity asks for it
- Beneficiary form the owner kept with their plan records, for a Single(k) plan at an outside custodianUbiquity does not retain it.
- The custodian's own claim paperwork, for a Single(k) plan at an outside custodian
What happens to each kind of account1
- Employer retirement plan
For Single(k) plans, Ubiquity says: "Because Ubiquity does not maintain these records, we cannot assist beneficiaries in requesting distributions after your passing if plan assets are not managed on our platform." The claim goes to the custodian that holds the account.1
Participant distribution requests "require Plan Administrator review and approval". The employer is the Plan Administrator and approves distribution requests.2
Ubiquity is the plan's recordkeeper and document provider. Its service agreement makes the employer the Plan Administrator and requires it to appoint the plan Trustee.3
On Reserve(k) plans, Ubiquity's 3(16) fiduciary service includes approving distribution requests.4
Ubiquity's help centre says a participant becomes fully vested in all contributions in the event of death.5
The plan's own distribution options are set by the plan document. Participants see them in the portal's Plan Overview section.6
What Ubiquity's agreement and guidance say1
- What it says about taxes
Ubiquity states the 10% early withdrawal tax does not apply to a beneficiary taking a distribution from an inherited 401(k).7
Not in Ubiquity's published guidance2
- How long a claim takes
- Whether the death certificate must be certified
Frequently asked questions
No. Ubiquity’s help centre states that it does not retain beneficiary forms for Single(k) plans, that it acts as the plan’s document provider without recordkeeping at that level, and that it cannot assist beneficiaries in requesting distributions after the owner’s death if plan assets are not managed on its platform. If the Single(k) assets are held by a custodian, the beneficiary designation is made with that custodian. If they are not, or the custodian does not allow a designation, the owner completes Ubiquity’s beneficiary form and stores it with the 401(k) plan records. This does not apply to Single(k) Plus, which Ubiquity recordkeeps.
No. Ubiquity states that when a trust is named the beneficiary of a 401(k) plan, the trust receives any assets distributed from the plan, but the plan itself cannot be transferred to the trust. A trust reaches the account only as the named beneficiary. Ubiquity’s SECURE 2.0 page states that non-spousal beneficiaries are required to liquidate an inherited 401(k) within 10 years of the original plan holder’s death.
It depends on the plan. For plans Ubiquity recordkeeps, contact Ubiquity at (855) 401-4357 (Monday to Friday, 6am to 5pm PT) or through the support ticket form at myubiquity.com/customersupport. The employer is the Plan Administrator, and Ubiquity’s help centre states that participant distribution requests require Plan Administrator review and approval. For a Single(k) plan at an outside custodian, Ubiquity states it cannot assist beneficiaries in requesting distributions, so the claim is made with the custodian that holds the account.
Sources
Data sourced from Ubiquity primary sources (23 pages reviewed). How we research.
Ubiquity death claims support
Customer Success Team
Phone
Client Onboarding
Sales
Billing
Simply Retirement phone support
Hours
Website
Death notifications go through general customer service.
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