How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at VACU
Covers 10 deposit, and 2 retirement accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
Member Services - Deceased Member Accounts
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
Deceased Member Accounts
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
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.
- Bring government-issued photo ID
- Request a POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary designation update
- Supply beneficiary information: full legal name, date of birth, and relationship
- Specify percentage allocation if naming multiple beneficiaries
- 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.
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
Member Services - Deceased Member Accounts
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
Deceased Member Accounts
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your VACU accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
Learn more
Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
Learn more
New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
Learn more
Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreMore estate planning resources
Explore related tools and documents to complete your estate plan.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a will. See document costs plus probate fees your heirs will pay. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys.






