What to do when a Workers CU account holder dies
Contact Workers CU — 4-step process, 7 required documents, and pod beneficiaries can typically access funds upon providing required documentation. non-pod accounts depend on probate timeline, which in massachusetts typically takes 12-18 months.
119 Russell Street, Littleton, MA 01460
119 Russell Street, Littleton, MA 01460
Member Services
Workers Credit Union, 119 Russell Street, Littleton, MA 01460
After a member of Workers CU dies, the Member Services 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 a claim, contact Workers CU by phone at 978-345-1021 or email documentation to info@wcu.com. You will need the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Workers CU:
Filing a claim
- Contact Workers Credit Union at (800) 221-4020 or (978) 345-1021.
- Provide the deceased member's name, account number (if known), and date of death.
- Submit a certified copy of the death certificate.
- POD beneficiaries: Provide a certified copy of the death certificate and valid government-issued photo ID to receive your share of available funds without waiting for probate.
- Joint account holders: The account continues in the surviving joint owner's name; contact Workers CU to update account records.
- IRA accounts: The designated beneficiary will be contacted regarding distribution options; provide a certified copy of the death certificate and valid ID.
- Contact Workers Credit Union to report the passing and provide a copy of the death certificate.
- If there is a co-signer or co-borrower, they remain obligated for payments.
- If no co-signer, next steps depend on the deceased's estate arrangements (will, trust, etc.).
- A court-appointed legal representative (executor or administrator) must provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
- For small estates: Massachusetts allows a Voluntary Administration for a qualifying small estate under M.G.L. c. 190B, Sec. 3-1201 (the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code) when the decedent was a Massachusetts resident, at least 30 days have passed since death, no real estate is involved, and the estate is entirely personal property valued at $25,000 or less (excluding one motor vehicle). The voluntary personal representative files a Voluntary Administration Statement (Probate and Family Court form MPC 170).
- Workers Credit Union reviews all documentation and distributes assets per beneficiary designation or estate instructions.
Required Documents
- Certified copy of death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for claimant
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD designation)
- Trust documents (if trust is beneficiary)
- For a qualifying Massachusetts small estate ($25,000 or less in personal property excluding one motor vehicle, 30+ days after death, no real estate): a Voluntary Administration Statement (Probate and Family Court form MPC 170) under M.G.L. c. 190B, Sec. 3-1201, in place of Letters
- Workers Credit Union's Affidavit with Respect to Deceased Depositor (notarized), where the credit union requires it to release funds
- Court order or probate documents (if applicable)
What to know at this institution
Contact Center: (800) 221-4020 (MA & NH) or (978) 345-1021. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM ET, Saturday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET (excluding Federal Holidays). To release funds, Workers CU uses its own notarized Affidavit with Respect to Deceased Depositor (https://www.wcu.com/docs/default-source/forms/affidavit-respect-deceased-depositor.pdf?sfvrsn=53242207_3). Joint account holders retain full access to the account upon the death of the other joint owner. IRA beneficiaries are handled separately through the IRA beneficiary designation process. Government benefits (Social Security, VA) received after the date of death are returned to the issuing agency. For a qualifying Massachusetts small estate, a Voluntary Administration under M.G.L. c. 190B, Sec. 3-1201 (personal property $25,000 or less excluding one motor vehicle, 30+ days after death) lets a voluntary personal representative collect the account without full probate.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Workers CU
Workers CU asks for a letter of instruction alongside its claim form. We prepare a transmittal cover letter and the enclosure checklist Workers CU requires.
Build your letter of instructionHow long the process takes at Workers CU: POD beneficiaries can typically access funds upon providing required documentation. Non-POD accounts depend on probate timeline, which in Massachusetts typically takes 12-18 months. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Workers CU requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of death certificate, Valid government-issued photo ID for claimant, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD designation), and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Visit any Workers Credit Union branch or call (800) 221-4020 to request a POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary designation form for deposit accounts. Complete it with primary and contingent beneficiary information (full legal names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and relationship). All account owners must sign the form. IRA accounts use a separate IRA beneficiary designation form.
Contact Workers Credit Union at (800) 221-4020 or (978) 345-1021 and provide a certified copy of the death certificate and valid government-issued photo ID. If you are a named POD beneficiary, you can receive your share without waiting for probate; joint account holders retain full access in the surviving owner's name. To release funds Workers CU may require its own notarized Affidavit with Respect to Deceased Depositor. Government benefits (Social Security, VA) received after the date of death are returned to the issuing agency.
Yes, if the estate qualifies. Massachusetts allows Voluntary Administration under M.G.L. c. 190B, Sec. 3-1201 when the decedent was a Massachusetts resident, at least 30 days have passed since death, there is no real estate, and the estate is entirely personal property valued at $25,000 or less (excluding one motor vehicle). A voluntary personal representative files a Voluntary Administration Statement (Probate and Family Court form MPC 170) and presents it to Workers Credit Union with the death certificate to collect the account.
IRA accounts have separate beneficiary designations from deposit accounts and pass directly to the named IRA beneficiary. Contact Workers Credit Union at (800) 221-4020 to initiate the process; the beneficiary provides a certified copy of the death certificate and valid government-issued ID. Distribution options depend on the IRA type (Traditional or Roth) and the beneficiary's relationship to the deceased member. Workers CU can also connect beneficiaries with an advisor through its Retirement Planning and Investment Center.
Workers CU's Member Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-221-4020, email at info@wcu.com, and fax at 978-353-4200 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Workers CU accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Member Services can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Sources
Data sourced from Workers CU primary sources (25 pages reviewed). How we research.
119 Russell Street, Littleton, MA 01460
119 Russell Street, Littleton, MA 01460
Member Services
Workers Credit Union, 119 Russell Street, Littleton, MA 01460
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