Life Events — Transferring Retirement Accounts to New Owners
Transferring to a beneficiary
The information on this page reflects how some of the more common types of retirement accounts would change over to new owners upon the death of an account owner. Note that not all account types may be represented.
There are three primary types of account transfers:
1. IRA with a valid named beneficiary
Account assets transfer to the named individual(s) or entity.
Documentation needed:
- Photocopy of death certificate
Forms to complete:
- IRA Beneficiary Claim Request (PDF)
- IRA Application (PDF), if opening a new IRA
- Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable
2. IRA without a valid named beneficiary, if the account owner passed away on or after September 24, 2010.
A) Account assets transfer to the surviving spouse (first).
Documentation needed:
- Photocopy of death certificate
Forms to complete:
- IRA Beneficiary Claim Request (PDF)
- IRA Application (PDF), if opening a new IRA
- Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable
B) Account assets transfer to the surviving children (second).
Probated Estate
Documentation needed:
- Photocopy of death certificate
- Certified Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, dated within 60 days of receipt at our office
- Photocopy of each surviving child’s birth certificate
Forms to complete:
- IRA Beneficiary Claim Request (PDF), for each surviving child receiving assets
- IRA/ESA Beneficiary—Surviving Child Certification (PDF), completed by personal representative of the estate
- IRA Application (PDF), for each surviving child opening a Beneficiary IRA
- Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable
Non-Probated Estate
Documentation needed:
- Photocopy of death certificate
- Photocopy of each surviving child's birth certificate
Forms to complete:
- IRA Beneficiary Claim Request (PDF), for each surviving child receiving assets
- Affidavit of Surviving Children — No Probated Estate (PDF), completed by all surviving children
- IRA Application (PDF), for each surviving child opening a Beneficiary IRA
- Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable
C) Account assets transfer to the estate (third).
Probated Estate
Documentation needed:
- Photocopy of death certificate
- Certified Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, dated within 60 days of receipt at our office
Forms to complete:
- IRA Beneficiary Claim Request (PDF)
- IRA/ESA Beneficiary — Surviving Child Certification (PDF), completed by personal representative of the estate
- IRA Application (PDF), if opening a Beneficiary IRA for the estate
- Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable
Non-Probated Estate
Documentation needed:
- Photocopy of death certificate
- Notarized small-estate affidavit
Forms to complete:
- IRA Beneficiary Claim Request (PDF) for each surviving child receiving assets
- Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable
3. IRA without a valid named beneficiary, if the account owner passed away before September 24, 2010
Account assets transfer to the estate.
Probated Estate
Documentation needed:
- Photocopy of death certificate
- Certified Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, dated within 60 days of receipt at our office
Forms to complete:
- IRA Beneficiary Claim Request (PDF)
- IRA Application (PDF), if opening a beneficiary IRA for the estate
- Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable
NonProbated Estate
Documentation needed:
- Photocopy of death certificate
- Notarized small-estate affidavit
Forms to complete:
- IRA Beneficiary Claim Request (PDF)
- Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable
