How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at VACU
Covers 10 deposit, and 2 retirement accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Phone1-800-285-6609
Toll-Free1-800-285-6609
Fax(804) 718-6906
Mailing Address
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
Deceased Member Accounts
24-Hour QuikLine Phone Banking
Member Services - Deceased Member Accounts
Phone(804) 323-6800
Toll-Free1-800-285-6609
Fax(804) 718-6906
Mailing Address
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
Deceased Member Accounts
WebsiteLearn more→
Deceased Member Accounts
Fax(804) 718-6906
Mailing Address
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
There are two ways to keep your VACU accounts out of probate: adding Payable on Death designations and retitling accounts into a trust. Because VACU is a membership-based institution, trust retitling must maintain the membership eligibility requirement. Both methods ensure your accounts transfer directly to the people you choose, without court involvement.
VACU has 12 product types, and the estate transfer rules differ across them. Some support Payable on Death (POD) designations, some can be retitled into a trust, and others will require probate if nothing is set up. Each is covered below.
Regular CheckingEnhanced Benefit CheckingChecking PlusEncore CheckingRegular SavingsMoney Market Savings PremiumMoney Market Savings Premium PlusSavings CertificateSavings Certificate DepositExtra Credit Checking
1
Visit any Virginia Credit Union branch to begin the beneficiary update
- Bring government-issued photo ID
- Request a POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary designation update
2
Provide beneficiary details and allocation preferences
- Supply beneficiary information: full legal name, date of birth, and relationship
- Specify percentage allocation if naming multiple beneficiaries
3
Complete the authorization and sign documentation
- All trustees on the account must sign documentation authorizing the change
- Complete and sign the updated account documentation
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- POD (Payable on Death) Trust allows a member (Trustee) and if applicable a Co-Trustee to designate beneficiaries
- Upon death of all Trustees, available shares are split equally among all surviving beneficiaries
- IRA beneficiary designations are separate from deposit account POD designations
- A change of beneficiary is only accepted if all identified trustees on the account have signed documentation
- Beneficiary does not need to be present or be a VACU member
- Not available for Extra Credit Checking accounts
Sources
Data sourced from VACU primary sources (25 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these VACU instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against VACU primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Phone1-800-285-6609
Toll-Free1-800-285-6609
Fax(804) 718-6906
Mailing Address
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
Deceased Member Accounts
24-Hour QuikLine Phone Banking
Member Services - Deceased Member Accounts
Phone(804) 323-6800
Toll-Free1-800-285-6609
Fax(804) 718-6906
Mailing Address
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
Deceased Member Accounts
WebsiteLearn more→
Deceased Member Accounts
Fax(804) 718-6906
Mailing Address
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your VACU accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
