What to do when an USAA account holder dies
Report the death to USAA's Bank Survivor Relations Team at 1-855-204-0378
After an account holder at USAA 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 USAA's Bank Survivor Relations Team at 1-855-204-0378 with the proper legal authority documents.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at USAA:
Filing a claim
- If you are not a USAA member, call the Bank Survivor Relations Team at 855-204-0378 (TTY 711/TRS) before returning the form to establish your relationship to the deceased person
- If the account numbers are unknown, write "All USAA Bank accounts"
- Select your relationship: Executor/Administrator of the Estate, Designated Payable On Death (POD)/Beneficiary, Surviving Account Owner/Surviving Trustee, Successor Trustee, or Other Authorized Person
Required Documents
- Completed USAA Letter of Instruction (form 502639-0725)One for each executor; co-executors may send one letter signed by both.
- Copy of the death certificate
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, for executors and administratorsA copy of the court-issued letters, not expired, with the official seals visible. The form also names a Short Certificate or Certificate of Appointment.
- Court order stating the funds are to be paid to the trust, to have an account that is not styled as a trust paid to a trust
- Small estate affidavit, for other authorized personsOr an affidavit of collection of personal property or an affidavit in lieu of administration. An affidavit of heirship is not accepted.
- Executor's authorization to release information to a law firm, if an attorney is used
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms USAA issues1
- USAA Letter of Instruction (LOI) Form (502639-0725)
Completed by the executor or administrator, beneficiary, surviving account owner, trustee or other authorized person. Available to download.1
What happens to each kind of account6
- Joint account with survivorship
If an owner of a joint account dies, the funds vest in and belong to the surviving account owners as their separate property, including any community property interest in the account.2
- Payable-on-death account
A beneficiary receives the balance of available funds once a copy of the death certificate is provided.1
A payable-on-death account is paid to the surviving designated payees, subject to USAA's setoff rights. USAA has no obligation to notify a payee that the account exists.2
- Custodial account (UTMA/UGMA)
On the death of the custodian of a UTMA account, USAA relies on the instructions of a successor custodian.2
- Trust account
The Successor Trustee option on the Letter of Instruction applies only to trust-styled accounts. An account that is not trust-styled is paid to a trust only under a court order stating the funds are to be paid to the trust.1
- Certificate of deposit
The Letter of Instruction closes non-IRA certificates of deposit. A certificate of deposit cannot be transferred internally, so its funds are issued by check to the address on your member profile.1
- IRA
The Letter of Instruction covers checking, savings and non-IRA certificates of deposit only; it is not used for IRA certificates.1
Accounts handled elsewhere2
- USAA Life Insurance Company
Life insurance, health and annuities3
Mailing address: 9800 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX 78288
- Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Brokerage accounts and IRAs offered on USAA's investing page4
What USAA's agreement and guidance say6
- Telling the institution
Account owners agree to notify USAA promptly if an owner or authorized signer dies. USAA may honor checks, items and instructions and accept deposits until it has actual notice of the death and a reasonable period of time to act on it.2
- What it does when notified
On notice of the death, USAA may place a hold on the account, refuse deposits and withdrawals, require documentation of the death acceptable to it, and keep the funds until it knows the identity of the successor.2
- Deposits after the death
USAA may debit the account and return to the payor deposits credited after the death, including salary, pension, VA benefits, Social Security and SSI.2
The Letter of Instruction says federal benefit payments such as Social Security, Veterans Benefits and SSI deposited after the date of death are returned to the government agency, and to contact the agency about any remaining eligibility.1
- Powers of attorney
USAA may recognize an attorney-in-fact's authority until it receives notification of the account owner's death.2
- Wills, probate and small estates
If the owner lived outside the United States at death, USAA may require United States court documents or a United States court appointment of someone to represent the estate.2
- How proceeds are paid
Option 1 is an internal transfer into a USAA Bank checking or savings account in your name. It is not available for certificates of deposit, Texas Uniform Transfers to Minors accounts, or Youth accounts with no surviving adult account holder.1
Option 2 is a check, payable to the Estate of the Decedent, a trust, or a named executor, administrator or successor trustee. USAA does not transfer or wire funds to an external bank.1
Sources4
Mortgage and home lending
Mortgages and home equity loans are liabilities, not assets. They do not have beneficiaries and cannot be retitled to a trust.
Required Documents
- Death certificateUsed to validate the death of the borrower and update the account.
- Evidence of family relationshipSuch as a marriage or birth certificate.
- Will or last testament, only if a will is available
- Probate proceeding order, only if a probate case was opened with a courtIt must be signed by the judge.
- Court pleadings or ordersSuch as Letters Testamentary, a Letter of Personal Representative, a Letter of Fiduciary or a Letter of Administration, filed by the court or signed by the judge.
- Deed
- Intestate heirs affidavit, where there is no willIt should give the property description and who gains ownership.
- Recorded affidavit of heirship, only as applicable by state lawIt must be recorded.
- Recorded life estate deed, Lady Bird deed or transfer upon death deedIt must be executed by the borrower and recorded.
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-855-430-8489
Email: Research.Incoming@homeusaa.com
Fax: 1-855-260-5034
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-7:00 PM CT; Saturday 7:00 AM-3:00 PM CT
Mailing address: PO Box 610788, Dallas, TX 75261
Federal law on calling a home loan after a death
These exemptions apply to a loan secured by residential real property containing less than five dwelling units.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d); 12 CFR 191.5(b), 141.14Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer by devise, descent, or operation of law on the death of a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(3); 12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(iii)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer to a relative resulting from the death of a borrower.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(5)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer where the spouse or children of the borrower become an owner of the property.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(6)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
A federal regulation sets further conditions on these transfers.12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(v)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Nationstar Mortgage LLC
Servicing of USAA mortgages, as subservicer for USAA1
What USAA's agreement and guidance say1
- Who can get account information
In addition to the death certificate, the servicer must confirm that you are a successor in interest to the borrower or the executor of the estate before it releases any information on the loan.1
Sources1
USAA's Bank Survivor Relations Team can be reached by phone at 1-855-204-0378 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from USAA primary sources (19 pages reviewed). How we research.
USAA death claims support
Bank Survivor Relations Team
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