How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Unum

While you are employed, a group life or AD&D beneficiary designation on form CS-1110 is returned to your employer, not to Unum.¹

Ported group life uses form CS-1277, sent to Unum. Voluntary benefits policies, including whole life, use form L-52490, by mail or electronic signature.^{2, 3}

A valid trust may be designated as a beneficiary. The voluntary benefits form asks for the date of the trust.⁴

Primary and contingent beneficiaries can be named, with percentages totaling 100% at each level.²

If more than one beneficiary is named and no percentages are indicated, payment is made to them in equal shares (forms CS-1110 and CS-1277).^{1, 2}

Voluntary benefits forms carry owner, spouse and assignee signature lines and a notice for residents of the community property states AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA and WI.³

For life insurance policys. Completed by the insured, returned to the employer. Available to download.¹

For life insurance policys. Available to download.²

Return to

For life insurance policys. Available to download.⁴

Return to

For life insurance policys. Available to download.³

Return to

For life insurance policys. Completed online.⁵

Forms CS-1110, CS-1277 and L-52490 each cancel all prior designations, so every beneficiary you want to keep is listed again.^{1, 2, 3}

An absolute assignment of group life (CS-1179) revokes all prior beneficiary designations and names the assignee as the beneficiary. After Unum acknowledges it, only the assignee can change the beneficiary.⁶

If a primary beneficiary is disqualified or dies before the insured, that share is paid to the remaining primary beneficiaries (forms CS-1110 and CS-1277).^{1, 2}

Unum states that insurance benefits may not be released to a minor child but may be paid to a child's court-appointed financial guardian.²

On Unum's assignment form, an assignment with no box checked is treated as a collateral assignment, not an absolute one.⁶

For life insurance policys. Available to download.⁶

Return to

For life insurance policys. Available to download.⁷

Return to

For life insurance policys. Available to download.⁸

Return to

Group life can be assigned to a trust: Unum's assignment forms transfer the insured's current and future rights under the policy "to the person, trust or company listed below."⁶

The assignee holds the insured's rights under the policy, including changing beneficiaries and applying for conversion or portability.⁶

Unum states it is not responsible for the legal, tax or other effects of the assignment, or for its validity or sufficiency.^{6, 7, 8}

An absolute assignment revokes all prior beneficiary designations and names the trust as beneficiary. After Unum acknowledges it, only the assignee can change the beneficiary or release the assignment, and it stays in place until Unum receives an acceptable release.⁶