How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at WoodmenLife
Covers 10 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
WoodmenLife, PO Box 35903, Cleveland, OH 44135-0903. Overnight: WoodmenLife, 1700 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102
Customer Service / Claims
WoodmenLife, PO Box 35903, Cleveland, OH 44135-0903. Overnight: WoodmenLife, 1700 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102
Claims Department
WoodmenLife, PO Box 35903, Cleveland, OH 44135-0903. Overnight: WoodmenLife, 1700 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102
Estate planning with WoodmenLife policies centers on beneficiary designations—the single most important step for ensuring life insurance proceeds and annuity benefits reach the intended recipients without probate involvement. Unlike bank or brokerage accounts, insurance products are not retitled into trusts; instead, trusts are named as beneficiaries when estate tax planning or controlled distributions are needed.
With 10 product types, WoodmenLife offers a range of transfer options. Some policies support beneficiary designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
- Log in to your WoodmenLife member account at member.mywoodmen.org
- Click the Forms tab at the top of the page
- Locate and fill out the Beneficiary Change Form completely
- Print the completed form and obtain the required signature(s)
- Mail the signed form to WoodmenLife
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- As a fraternal benefit society, WoodmenLife issues certificates rather than policies
- Only the certificate owner can change beneficiary designations
- The beneficiary change form must be printed, signed, and mailed even if filled out online
- Beneficiary designations override instructions in a will
- Multiple primary and contingent beneficiaries can be designated
- Percentage allocations must total 100% for each beneficiary tier
- Children under 18 cannot receive benefits directly; name a custodian or trust instead
Sources
Data sourced from WoodmenLife primary sources (19 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these WoodmenLife instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against WoodmenLife primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
WoodmenLife, PO Box 35903, Cleveland, OH 44135-0903. Overnight: WoodmenLife, 1700 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102
Customer Service / Claims
WoodmenLife, PO Box 35903, Cleveland, OH 44135-0903. Overnight: WoodmenLife, 1700 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102
Claims Department
WoodmenLife, PO Box 35903, Cleveland, OH 44135-0903. Overnight: WoodmenLife, 1700 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102
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