What to do when a Wilton Re account holder dies
Report the death to Wilton Re's Claim Department at 1-800-283-9233
When an insured person dies, the beneficiary or executor should contact Wilton Re's Claim Department at 1-800-283-9233 to start the claims process. Insurance proceeds are paid directly to the named beneficiary and do not go through probate. How quickly the claim is processed depends on the policy type, documentation, and cause of death.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Wilton Re works as follows:
Filing a claim
- The For Policyholders page lists each company Wilton Re acquired, the policy-number pattern for each block, and its customer service number
- Legacy policies: call the Wilton Re customer service number listed for the block for assistance with the policy
- Claim forms are not available online because they are contract specific
- Texas Life's number is 800-283-9233
- Mail to Texas Life Insurance Company, Attn: Claim Department, P.O. Box 830, Waco, TX 76703
- The claim form, death certificate and other documents may be faxed to begin the claim, unless the face amount is more than $25,000.00, in which case originals must be mailed
- The death certificate must show the final manner and cause of death; one with a pending manner of death is not accepted
- Complete Medical History Section D of the claim form
- Provide the completed Death Claim Authorization signed by the beneficiary or the personal representative of the estate
Required Documents
- Completed claim form, for Texas Life contracts
- Certified death certificate, for Texas Life contractsOne, showing the final manner and cause of death. Texas Life defines certified as having "either a raised seal or a multicolored signature seal from the county, city, or state that issued the certificate."
- Medical History Section D of the claim form, for Texas Life contestable claims
- Death Claim Authorization, for Texas Life contestable claimsSigned by the beneficiary or the personal representative of the estate.
- Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number, for Texas Life contractsFor each beneficiary, estate, or trust, to report interest payments and any taxable gain to the IRS.
- Death certificate of a deceased primary beneficiary, for Texas Life contracts, where a named primary beneficiary has diedA copy is accepted if the face amount is $25,000.00 or less.
- Marriage or divorce decree, or a court document showing the name change, for Texas Life contracts, where a beneficiary's name has changed since the designationA copy of the marriage or divorce decree for a change by marriage or divorce; otherwise a court document showing the change from the birth name to the requested name.
Forms Wilton Re issues1
- Texas Life claim form
Sent by the institution on request.1
What happens to each kind of account1
- Annuity
On a Texas Life annuity death benefit, the claimant can elect federal withholding at 10% or higher, or no withholding, at the time of payment. The taxable portion and any withholding are reported on Form 1099-R.2
What Wilton Re's agreement and guidance say4
- Contestability of a recent policy
A Texas Life claim is contestable when the death occurs within two years of the policy issue or reinstatement date. Texas Life then reviews the application for material misrepresentation, which takes longer because it orders medical records.2
- How proceeds are paid
Texas Life honors a funeral home assignment signed by a beneficiary and received before the claim is settled, and pays the funeral home accordingly. Interest is paid on most claims.2
- Payment to a minor or incapacitated beneficiary
Where no guardian is named for a minor child, Texas Life asks the family to contact its office for specific information on paying the proceeds.2
- What it says about taxes
Texas Life reports the interest paid on a claim to the IRS if it is greater than $10.00, on a Form 1099-INT mailed in January of the following year.2
Texas Life does not withhold taxes from a life insurance claim unless the claimant asks it to or has told it they are subject to backup withholding.2
Sources2
Wilton Re's Claim Department can be reached by phone at 1-800-283-9233 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Wilton Re primary sources (19 pages reviewed). How we research.
Wilton Re death claims support
Claim Department
Phone
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Wilton Re accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Open probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Notify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.
Renunciation of Executor
Decline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.
Small Estate Affidavit
Collect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need and see ordering info for your state.
Do I Need Probate?
Find out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Find out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.
