What to do when a Workers CU account holder dies
After a member of Workers CU dies, Workers CU manages the transfer of accounts. POD-designated and trust-owned accounts pass directly to beneficiaries. Accounts held solely in the member's name may require probate court documents—Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration—before funds can be released.
To start, call Workers CU. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate ready before you call.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Workers CU:
Filing a claim
Required Documents
- Death certificateThe affidavit form says "a valid death certificate"; the Member Forms page says "a copy of the original death certificate".
- Affidavit with Respect to Deceased Depositor, for an account held by one depositor, up to $10,000The Member Forms page says the form must be notarized. The form itself carries a witness line and no notary block.
- Deposit book or certificate evidencing the account, if applicable
- Executor formsThe Member Forms page says to send them with the affidavit.
- Court appointment of the executor or administrator, where the account passes through the estate
Forms Workers CU issues1
- Affidavit with Respect to Deceased Depositor
Completed by the surviving spouse or next of kin. Available to download. Must be notarized.1, 2
What happens to each kind of account5
- Account in one name
Workers' affidavit covers payment of the full balance of an account held by one depositor "providing the account does not exceed $10,000.00." The person signing is the surviving spouse or next of kin.2
For the affidavit, at least 30 days must have passed since the date of death, and no duly appointed executor or administrator may have demanded payment or given notice of a proposed withdrawal.2
Under the bylaws, the share account of a deceased member, other than one held in joint tenancy with another member, may be continued until the close of the dividend period in which the administration of the estate is completed.3
- Joint account with survivorship
Workers treats all joint accounts as having right of survivorship. The balance belongs to the surviving owner or owners.4, 5
- Payable-on-death account
On an account with beneficiaries, on the death of all owners the balance is divided evenly among the surviving beneficiaries (no more than two on a qualified account type).4, 5
- Trust account
On a revocable trust (in-trust-for) account, on the death of the trustee or both trustees, payment may be made to the person for whom the trust was made or that person's legal representative.4, 5
- Fiduciary account
The account terms allow accounts to be opened and maintained by executors, administrators, or conservators under court orders.4
State law on paying a balance without lettersMassachusetts
- Massachusetts
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 167D, § 12
Massachusetts law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on proof the institution accepts, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 167D, § 12Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: $10,000 held at the institution
When: after the expiration of 30 days from the death of such depositor
Paid to: the surviving spouse of said deceased depositor; if there be no surviving spouse, the next of kin of such deceased (in that order)
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
What Workers CU's agreement and guidance say4
- Telling the institution
The account terms ask that Workers be notified promptly when any person with a right to withdraw funds from an account dies.4
- Payments after the death
Until Workers knows of the death and has had a reasonable opportunity to act, it may continue to honor checks and instructions. It may pay or certify checks drawn on or before the date of death for up to 10 days after the death unless someone claiming an interest in the account orders it to stop payment.4
- Powers of attorney
An authorized signer's authority ends automatically at the owner's death.4
- Deposits after the death
If Workers must reimburse the federal government for a benefit payment directly deposited to the account, the account terms authorize it to deduct that amount from the account or any other account the owner has with Workers.4
Not in Workers CU's published guidance1
- How long a claim takes
Sources
Data sourced from Workers CU primary sources (50 pages reviewed). How we research.
Workers CU death claims support
Mailing address
Website
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