What to do when a Vestwell account holder dies
Contact Vestwell's Saver Support — 3-step process, 6 required documents, and varies; contact saver support for specific timeline based on plan type and documentation
Vestwell Holdings, Inc., 360 Madison Avenue, Floor 15, New York, NY 10017
Saver Support
Vestwell Holdings, Inc., 360 Madison Avenue, Floor 15, New York, NY 10017
When an account holder at Vestwell passes away, the next step depends on how the retirement accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with Vestwell's Saver Support ((917) 979-5358) to access and distribute the funds.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting Vestwell. A certified death certificate is the primary document required to start any claim.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Vestwell requires:
Filing a claim
- Contact Vestwell Saver Support at (917) 979-5358 (press option 1) or email help@vestwell.com
- Request a Beneficiary Distribution Request Form
- Gather required documents including a certified copy of the death certificate
- Complete the Beneficiary Distribution Request Form accurately; errors or missing information will delay processing
- For trust beneficiaries: provide trust documentation and certification
- Submit all documents to Vestwell for review
- For vested balances of $1,000 or less, lump-sum distribution is the only available option
Required Documents
- Certified copy of death certificate
- Completed Beneficiary Distribution Request Form
- Government-issued photo ID for beneficiary
- Notarized Spousal Consent Form (if non-spousal beneficiary on ERISA plan)
- First page of fully executed trust document (if trust is beneficiary)
- Trust EIN documentation (if trust is beneficiary)
What to know at this institution
If no beneficiary is designated, the plan document determines distribution order, typically: surviving spouse first. Non-spousal beneficiaries must present the notarized Spousal Consent Form when claiming benefits. For vested balances of $1,000 or less, lump-sum distribution is the only available option. Adult non-spousal beneficiaries generally must move funds to an Inherited IRA and deplete the account within 10 years.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Vestwell
Vestwell asks for a letter of instruction alongside its claim form. We prepare a transmittal cover letter and the enclosure checklist Vestwell requires.
Build your letter of instructionExpected timelines at Vestwell: Varies; contact Saver Support for specific timeline based on plan type and documentation. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Documentation required by Vestwell includes Certified copy of death certificate, Completed Beneficiary Distribution Request Form, and Government-issued photo ID for beneficiary, along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
If you are married and wish to name anyone other than your spouse as the primary beneficiary on an ERISA-covered retirement plan, you must complete a Spousal Consent Form. The form must be notarized and stored safely. Non-spousal beneficiaries must present this form when claiming benefits. Download the form from the "Spouse Approval" section on the beneficiary designation page in the Saver Portal.
Contact Vestwell Saver Support at (917) 979-5358 (press option 1) or email help@vestwell.com to request a Beneficiary Distribution Request Form. Complete the form and submit it along with a certified copy of the death certificate, government-issued photo ID, and any applicable trust documentation. For vested balances of $1,000 or less, lump-sum distribution is the only available option. Visit https://support.vestwell.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500005260281-How-Do-I-Request-a-Death-Benefit-Distribution for details.
Vestwell's Saver Support can be reached by phone at (917) 979-5358 and email at help@vestwell.com for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Vestwell retirement accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Saver Support can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Sources
Data sourced from Vestwell primary sources (18 pages reviewed). How we research.
Vestwell Holdings, Inc., 360 Madison Avenue, Floor 15, New York, NY 10017
Saver Support
Vestwell Holdings, Inc., 360 Madison Avenue, Floor 15, New York, NY 10017
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