To start, call our toll free claims number 1-800-695-5165 to report the death. Our Business hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday, or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. A representative will help you complete your claim.

The beneficiary should provide a fully completed claim form and certified death certificate. If the death is due to an accident or homicide, the beneficiary should also provide a copy of the final police report and/or the coroner’s report and copies of any news articles.

Most funeral homes will provide the family of the deceased with several certified death certificates. You can also contact the Vital Records Division in the state of the deceased for this document.

The court appointed executor/personal representative should submit the fully completed claim form, certified death certificate and copy of the court papers appointing the individual as the executor or personal representative of the estate.

The trustee should submit the fully completed claim form and a certified death certificate. A copy of the trust may also be requested.

If the child is under the age of majority (this varies according to the state of residency), guardianship papers will need to be submitted with the claim form and certified death certificate.

The UTMA (Uniform Transfer to Minors Act) permits disbursement of funds to a minor child without guardianship papers. There are certain guidelines and limitations determined by each state regarding disbursement of funds to a minor under this act. Contact New York Life for specific information.

A claim is considered incontestable when the insured’s death occurs two years or more after the insurance date or reinstatement date.

Claims can be paid by issuance of a check to the beneficiary’s address provided on the claim form.

Yes. If the beneficiary signs an assignment form authorizing us to direct payment of all or a portion of the proceeds to a funeral home and the assignment is received prior to the claim being settled.

The claim cannot be processed without this information. Interest is paid on most claims from the date of death until the date the claim is paid. The Social Security Number or Federal Tax Identification Number is required to report interest payments to the Internal Revenue Service.

A Federal Tax Identification Number will be issued to an estate of a deceased or to a trust. The Federal Tax Identification Number is used to report the interest paid to an estate or a trust.

The person(s) or entity designated by the insured to receive the death benefit

The person(s) or entity designated by the insured to receive the death benefit in the event the primary beneficiary dies before the insured, disclaims the death benefit or is disqualified under law.

The following tax forms are available from the IRS:

W-7 Tax Form – Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

 

Instructions for W-7

 

W-8BEN Tax Form – Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding

 

Instructions for form W-8BEN

 

W-9 Tax Form – Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification

 

W-9 Instructions – Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9

 

W-9 Tax Form (Spanish) - Solicitud y Certificacion del Numero de Identificacion del Contribuyente

 

W-9 (SP), Instrucciones para el Solicitante del Formulario W-9(SP), Solicitud y Certificación del Número de Identificación del Contribuyente

 

Form 712 – Life Insurance Statement

 

Forms 1099-INT are utilized to report to the Internal Revenue Services interest payments made to an individual or entity (such as a trust or estate) during any calendar year. Forms 1099-INT are mailed to an individual or entity in January of the year following the interest payment. Form 1099-INT informs the individual or entity of the interest amount paid to be reported on their tax return.

You may call our toll free number 1-800-695-5165 for assistance.  Our business hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.  Alternatively, you may complete a Living Benefit Rider claim form and mail the form as indicated in the instructions on the form.

You may call our toll free number 1-800-695-5165 for assistance.  Our business hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.  Alternatively, you may complete a Waiver of Premium claim form and mail the form as indicated in the instructions on the form.