How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Zurich

Covers 7 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be updated by phone

Zurich

Subsidiary of Zurich Insurance Group

zurichna.com
Zurich logo

Zurich American Life Insurance Company Customer Service

Mailing Address

7045 College Boulevard, 8th Floor, Overland Park, KS 66211

Variable Annuity & Variable Life Contracts
Fixed Annuity Contracts
Scudder Destinations Variable Annuity
Life Insurance (Alternate)
Zurich Life Insurance Solutions

Policy Owner Services

Mailing Address

Zurich American Life Insurance Company, 7045 College Boulevard, 8th Floor, Overland Park, KS 66211

Claims Department

Fax1-888-796-7547
Mailing Address

Zurich American Life Insurance Company, 7045 College Boulevard, 8th Floor, Overland Park, KS 66211

Variable Annuity & Variable Life Claims
Verified Jul 2026

For Zurich policyholders, estate planning comes down to one critical step: making sure the right beneficiaries are named on every policy. Insurance proceeds bypass probate entirely and go directly to whoever is listed—regardless of what a will says. When estate tax planning or controlled distributions are a factor, a trust can be named as beneficiary instead.

Zurich offers 7 policies, each with its own transfer rules. The sections below cover how to set up beneficiaries, fund a trust, and which products support each approach.

Zurich Term Life InsuranceZurich Whole Life InsuranceZurich Universal Life InsuranceZurich Indexed Universal Life InsuranceZurich Variable AnnuityZurich Fixed AnnuityZurich Guaranteed Retirement Income Benefit (GRIB) Annuity
1
Contact Zurich customer service
  • Call 1-888-634-6780 for life insurance contracts (Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:00pm CST)
  • Call 1-800-457-9047 for variable annuity and variable life contracts
  • Call 1-800-621-5001 for fixed annuity contracts
  • Request assistance with a beneficiary change
  • A representative can guide you through the process and send required forms

Required Documents

  • Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)

Special Requirements

  • The new beneficiary designation cancels all previous designations -- all beneficiaries must be re-designated even if only changing one
  • The change is effective on the date signed once received and recorded at the home office
  • If naming a trust as beneficiary, provide the full trust name, date established, and first and last pages of the trust document
  • For ownership changes to a trust, complete the Trustee Certification form (ZA-1068) and include a copy of the trust document
  • The right to change the beneficiary is reserved by the owner(s) unless otherwise indicated
  • The designation is subject to the rights of any existing assignment
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Sources

Data sourced from Zurich primary sources (13 pages reviewed). How we research.

Download these Zurich instructions

Download instructions for the whole estate

A printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Zurich primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.

Estate planning articles

Learn how to protect your Zurich accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.

More estate planning resources

Explore related tools and documents to complete your estate plan.

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.

Use Calculator

Who Inherits Without a Will?

Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.

Use Calculator

How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.

Use Calculator

What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.

Compare Costs

How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?

Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.

Compare Costs

How Much Does a Will Cost?

Compare the cost of creating a will. See document costs plus probate fees your heirs will pay. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys.

Compare Costs