Claim life insurance and retirement/employer benefits

Why it matters

Beneficiary-designated assets pay quickly and outside probate, but only if you claim them. Employers and pensions often hold cover people forget.

How to do it

1. Contact each life insurer with a certified death certificate and claim as beneficiary.
2. Contact their employer/HR about life insurance, 401(k)/pension, final pay, and unused leave.
3. Check for IRAs, annuities, and payable-on-death (POD) bank accounts with named beneficiaries.

Do this first

• Order many certified copies of the death certificate