What to do when a Voya account holder dies
Report the death to Voya's Life, AD&D and Waiver of Premium Claims at 1-888-238-4840
What happens to Voya retirement accounts after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with Voya's Life, AD&D and Waiver of Premium Claims (1-888-238-4840) to claim the funds.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Voya works as follows:
Filing a claim
- The Claims Center is where you start a claim, complete forms, upload documents, or check a claim status.
- The employer completes the Death Claim for Group Life Plans (Order #171880) and provides the appropriate Proof of Death - Claimant's Statement to each beneficiary.
- Version by beneficiary residence: 131001 (all other states and DC); 131003 (AR, IN, KY, LA, ND, RI); 159743 (CA, FL, MN, NY, and policies issued or sitused in MN or NY); 171890 (AK, IL, KS, NC, NV).
- Each beneficiary completes a form, with a separate form for each account, and includes a copy of the account owner's death certificate.
- For an estate, the executor or administrator completes and signs the form.
- Mail to Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, PO Box 990063, Hartford, CT 06199-0063, or fax 800-643-8143 marked "Attn: Death Claims Department".
- Mail: Voya Life Claims, P.O. Box 1548, Minneapolis, MN 55440
- Overnight mail: Voya Life Claims, 250 Marquette Ave. Ste 900, Minneapolis, MN 55401
- Fax: 844-449-2553
Required Documents
- Proof of Death - Claimant's Statement, group lifeThe version depends on where the beneficiary lives.
- Death certificate showing cause and manner of death, group lifeA copy; the form states a certified death certificate is required if the benefit is above $500,000 or upon request.
- Trust Verification form (Order #142020), with the trust TIN, if a trust is the group life beneficiarySigned by all currently authorized trustees.
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, if the estate is the group life beneficiary
- Affidavit About Heirs of Decedent (Order #142024 or #170887), group life, if no beneficiary was named or the beneficiary died before the insured
- Accident report, police report and toxicology report, for an accidental death
- Police report with investigating officer contact information, for a homicide
- Employer Rollover IRA Death Claim Request (Order #205424), Employer Rollover IRAEach beneficiary completes a form, with a separate form for each account.
- Copy of the account owner's death certificate, Employer Rollover IRA
- Certified Letters Testamentary and the estate TIN, Employer Rollover IRA, if the estate is the beneficiaryA Last Will and Testament is not acceptable proof of executorship or entitlement.
- Affidavit of small estate, Employer Rollover IRA, if the estate is not being probatedMay be submitted under the rules of the deceased's state of residence, naming the specific heir(s) or entity entitled to the benefit.
- Voya Trust Certification form and the trust TIN, Employer Rollover IRA, if a trust is the beneficiaryThe individual(s) authorized by the trust sign both the death claim form and the Trust Certification form.
- Certification of Look Through Trust form, Employer Rollover IRA, for a trust to qualify for a rollover to an inherited IRAThe form states the trust must be a "Look-Through" Trust to qualify.
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms Voya issues5
- Proof of Death - Claimant's Statement (Order #131001; state versions 131003, 159743, 171890)
Completed by each beneficiary. Available to download.1
- Death Claim for Group Life Plans (Order #171880)
Completed by the employer. Available to download.2
- Trust Verification (Order #142020)
Completed by all currently authorized trustees. Available to download.3
- Employer Rollover IRA Death Claim Request (Order #205424)
Completed by each beneficiary, one form per account. Available to download.4
- HSA death distribution form (Order #204064)
Available to download.5
What happens to each kind of account1
- Health savings account
HSA death distributions use a separate form (Order #204064).5
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Resolution Life
Individual life policies formerly issued by Voya companies6
Phone: 1-877-886-5050
What Voya's agreement and guidance say1
- How proceeds are paid
Group life payment options described with the claimant statement: the Voya Personal Transition Account (proceeds of $5,000 or more; not available to residents of AK, IL, NV, NC or KS), proceeds held at interest, a lump sum check, or installment options.1
For an Employer Rollover IRA left to a trust, payment or account establishment is made in the name of the trust.4
Group life: 10 business days to review submitted claim documents. Employer Rollover IRA: 7-10 business days for receipt once the distribution is processed.
Voya's Life, AD&D and Waiver of Premium Claims can be reached by phone at 1-888-238-4840 and fax at 1-844-449-2553 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Voya primary sources (28 pages reviewed). How we research.
Voya death claims support
Life, AD&D and Waiver of Premium Claims (Voya Claims Center)
Phone
Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity claims
Disability and Voya Leave Management claims
Existing Plan Participants and Select Advantage
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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