How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at USAA
Covers 8 deposit, 2 retirement, and 1 lending accounts — beneficiaries can be updated by phone
USAA Federal Savings Bank, 10750 McDermott Freeway, San Antonio, TX 78288-0544
USAA Survivor Relations (all product lines)
Bank Survivor Relations Team
USAA Federal Savings Bank, 10750 McDermott Freeway, San Antonio, TX 78288-0544
The key to protecting your USAA 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.
With 11 product types, USAA offers a range of transfer options. Some accounts support Payable on Death (POD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
- Call USAA at 1-800-531-8722 or the Bank Survivor Relations Team at 1-855-204-0378
- Request the appropriate form: POD form for deposit accounts or IRA Beneficiary Designation form for retirement accounts
- USAA will mail or provide the form for you to complete
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- POD/TOD beneficiary designations cannot be made or changed online
- POD beneficiaries have no interest in or access to the account until account owner death
- USAA may limit the number of POD payees per account
- Account owner is solely responsible for complying with applicable law in establishing POD accounts
- Subject to USAA setoff rights and applicable law
- For trusts as beneficiary: must attach trust first page, signature page, and USAA Memorandum of Trust form
Sources
Data sourced from USAA primary sources (16 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these USAA instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against USAA primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
USAA Federal Savings Bank, 10750 McDermott Freeway, San Antonio, TX 78288-0544
USAA Survivor Relations (all product lines)
Bank Survivor Relations Team
USAA Federal Savings Bank, 10750 McDermott Freeway, San Antonio, TX 78288-0544
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