How to designate beneficiaries at USICG
Beneficiaries are managed by mail
Estate planning for USICG retirement retirement accounts revolves around beneficiary designations. These designations—not a will—control who receives the account balance at death. For IRAs and employer-sponsored plans, the beneficiary designation also determines the tax treatment of inherited distributions, making it a decision with both legal and financial implications.
USICG offers 9 retirement accounts, each with its own transfer rules. The sections below cover how to set up beneficiaries, fund a trust, and which products support each approach.
Beneficiary form at USICG
Beneficiary Designation Form (for employer retirement plans).
Open the form →Required Documents
- Beneficiary Designation Form, completed. Each plan has its own form, from the plan-ID-gated Administrative Forms portal
- Spouse's signed consent (if you are married and name someone other than your spouse, where your plan requires it)
What USICG says about beneficiaries
Each section is USICG's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
Who can be named1
- A trust
USICG's participant guide names a trust for the benefit of your children as a beneficiary of your account.1
What a designation takes to be effective
- Employer retirement plan
USICG's participant guide states that if you are married, many retirement plans require you to name your spouse as primary beneficiary. You may name someone else only if your spouse signs a consent waiving his or her rights to your plan assets.1
Beneficiary forms USICG issues1
- Beneficiary Designation Form
For employer retirement plans. Completed by the plan participant. Available to download.2, 3
What USICG's agreement says about beneficiaries2
- A designation and a will
USICG's participant guide states that a will naming someone to inherit all of your assets generally does not affect your retirement account, which typically passes to the beneficiary you designated with the plan.1
- A minor as beneficiary
USICG's participant guide states that most retirement plans will not transfer money directly to minors, and that a court will then appoint a trustee or guardian to receive it.1
Not in USICG's published guidance2
- An online way to name a beneficiary
- A phone procedure for beneficiary changes
Sources
Data sourced from USICG primary sources (17 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these USICG instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against USICG primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
USICG estate support
USI Consulting Group - Corporate Headquarters
Phone
Mailing address
Website
Estate requests go through general customer service.
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