🏢 Employer & Benefits

What Happens to Your Transamerica Account When You Die

CRITICALRetirementInsurance
Contact the deceased's employer HR department first — they coordinate most of these benefits and can provide contact information for each plan administrator.

Quick Facts

Type

Retirement & Insurance

Urgency

Immediate — retirement & insurance claims

Phone

1-800-797-2643

Products

Retirement, life insurance, annuities

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Call Transamerica to report the death

Call 1-800-797-2643 to report the death and begin claims on all Transamerica products. Provide the deceased's SSN, date of birth, and employer information. Ask the representative to search for all accounts under the deceased's name.

Estimated time: Immediately

2

Submit retirement plan claim

Complete the death benefit claim forms for any employer-sponsored retirement plans. Submit with a certified death certificate and your proof of identity. Transamerica will verify the beneficiary designation on file.

Estimated time: 1-2 weeks

3

File life insurance and annuity claims

If the deceased had life insurance or annuity products through Transamerica, file separate claims for each. The employer can confirm what coverage was in place. Life insurance proceeds are typically received within 30 days of claim approval.

4

Choose distribution options for retirement funds

After the claim is approved, select your distribution method. Spousal beneficiaries can roll funds into their own IRA. Non-spouse beneficiaries can use an inherited IRA. Consult a tax advisor before making a decision.

Estimated time: 2-4 weeks

Document Now Checklist

  • Employer name
  • Transamerica account number(s)
  • Balance (approx)
  • Life insurance policy number
  • Coverage amount
  • Beneficiary designations

Last verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with Transamerica. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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