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The Prudential Change Beneficiary form serves as a crucial tool for policy owners looking to update the beneficiaries on their life insurance policies. This document allows holders to specify who should receive the proceeds of their policy in the event of their death and is vital for ensuring that their wishes are respected. The form encompasses a clear set of instructions and various sections for different beneficiary arrangements, including primary, contingent, and tertiary beneficiaries. It also addresses the need for detailed beneficiary information to aid in the payment process and outlines options for specifying payment methods and shares. Moreover, the form accommodates special designations like trusts, both revocable and irrevocable, and business entities, providing flexibility to accommodate a range of personal circumstances and preferences. Importantly, the form acknowledges the sensitivity of the information it solicits and assures policyholders of its confidentiality. For policy changes to be processed accurately and according to the policyholder's intentions, complete and clear submission of the form is emphasized. Additionally, the form accounts for legal stipulations regarding beneficiary eligibility in cases of criminal activity, ensuring compliance with state laws, and includes specific provisions for residents of states with Civil Union Acts. As a comprehensive document, the Prudential Change Beneficiary form is not only a means for specifying posthumous financial wishes but also a reflection of the policy owner's final intentions, requiring thoughtful consideration and accuracy in completion.

Preview - Prudential Change Beneficiary Form

Request to Change Beneficiary on Life Insurance Policies

The Prudential Insurance Company of America

Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey

Pruco Life Insurance Company

All are Prudential Financial companies.

General Information and Instructions (Read the instructions about the change(s) you wish to make)

Review the accuracy of any pre-filled information. Initial any corrections or deletions that you make to the preprinted text. If you do not, we may not be able to act upon your request.

Return the completed form in its entirety. Do not send us your policy.

We will record the change(s) and send a confirmation.

On these pages, me, my, you, your, and I refer to the owner(s). We, us, and our refer to the Prudential company that issued the policy.

This form does not provide for every arrangement. If the arrangement you want is not on this form, please contact our Customer Service Office.

Changing Your Beneficiary (Complete the Request to Change Beneficiary section)

1.To help facilitate payment when a claim is made, we need to have certain information about each beneficiary. The information we request for each beneficiary helps us identify and locate the beneficiary for payment. We recognize the confidential nature of the information requested, and we assure you that this information is for our internal use only and will not be shared.

2.Proceeds will be paid in a lump sum unless indicated otherwise in the Additional/Special Beneficiary Requests section. If information about a different method of payment was requested, we have enclosed A Word About Settlement Options. If you have not received it, contact our Customer Service Office.

3.It is important to understand the difference between primary (class 1), contingent (class 2), and tertiary (class 3) categories of beneficiaries.

Primary beneficiaries will receive any proceeds payable at the insured’s death.

If no primary beneficiary survives the insured, the contingent beneficiaries will receive any proceeds.

If neither primary nor contingent beneficiaries survive the insured, tertiary beneficiaries will receive any proceeds.

4.If there is more than one beneficiary in the same class, they will be paid in equal shares or to the survivor(s) of them, unless specified otherwise.

5.Testamentary Trust (i.e., a trust that is established under a will) – A Testamentary Trust should only be named as a beneficiary if the insured’s last will and testament provides for the establishment of a trust. The death benefit can only be paid to a Testamentary Trust if the trust is named in the will and the will is probated. If the Insured’s last will and testament is not admitted to probate, under the terms of the beneficiary arrangement, we will not be able to pay the claim to the contingent beneficiary (or the insured’s estate if no contingent is named) until 18 months after the Insured’s death (or if permitted by law, a shorter period as requested in the Additional/Special Beneficiary Requests section.)

6.Our responsibility for the payment of the proceeds to a Trust ends with payment made to the Trustee(s); we have no responsibility regarding any subsequent distribution made by the Trustee(s).

Special Beneficiary Designations (Use the Additional/Special Beneficiary Requests section)

For the following designations, include the information shown in the quotations (as well as any other identifying information described in this section).

1. Children as a group. (This would include any legally adopted children.) Write“Children of the insured.”

2.Children by representation. (We do not use the term “per stirpesin our beneficiary designations.)

If a child is not living and therefore not eligible to receive payment, and if any such child’s share is to be distributed equally to his or her surviving children, then write: “his (or her) children by representation” next to any beneficiary this will apply to.

For children as a group write “children of the Insured, their children by representation.

3. Creditor Beneficiary or Funeral Home.

a.“(Business Name), of (city, state), its successors or assigns, creditor, as its interest may appear.” For entities other than a corporation omit ‘its successors or assigns’. or

b.“(Individual’s name), his/her estate, creditor of the Insured, as his/her interest may appear.”

For any creditor arrangement, be sure to indicate who is to receive any balance. “Pay balance, if any, to Jane Smith, wife.”

(continued)

COMB 98992

Ed. 4/2014

Page A of Instructions

Customer keeps this page

Special Beneficiary Designations (Use the Additional/Special Beneficiary Requests section) (continued)

4. Dollars and Balance Arrangements. Note: Only one dollar amount can be shown.

“Pay $80,000, or the proceeds, if less, to Jane Doe, wife, and the balance, if any, to John Doe, son.”

5. Percentages and Fractions.

Percentage arrangement: “Pay 75% to Jane Doe, wife, and 25% to John Doe, son.”

Fraction arrangement: “Pay ¾ to Jane Doe, wife, and ¼ to John Doe, son.”

In the examples above, if Jane Doe is not living when the insured dies, her share will not be payable to John Doe. If you want that share to be paid to the other beneficiary (or to someone else), then write:

“Pay 75% to Jane Doe, wife, if living, otherwise to John Doe, son; and 25% to John Doe, son, if living, otherwise Jane Doe, wife.”

6.Short Term Survivorship Provision.

If this provision is chosen, any beneficiary who dies after the insured (but within the period of days you specify) will be considered to have died before the insured. The specified period (from 1 to 30 days) must be indicated, as follows: “Include Short Term Survivorship Provision of (1 to 30) days.”

For Kentucky Residents – Additional Information Regarding the Beneficiary Change

The State of Kentucky prohibits a beneficiary from collecting benefits under an insurance policy if convicted of taking the life of the decedent or of certain felonies involving abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of the decedent resulting in a loss to the decedent of more than $300 in financial or other resources, or both.

The forfeiture will not occur if:

The insurance policy was executed prior to January 1, 2012.

The felony was committed prior to January 1, 2012.

The decedent, knowing of that person’s conviction, reaffirms that person’s right to receive the policy benefits by executing a new policy, or requesting a beneficiary change on an existing policy, which names that person as a beneficiary.

If a forfeiture occurs, and there are no other beneficiaries, the forfeited interest shall be paid to the State for deposit into the elder and vulnerable adult victims trust fund.

Important Notice – Civil Union Act

If your state has enacted a Civil Union Act or similar legislation, which provides that parties treat civil unions and marriages equally in all aspects, we are providing this notice to confirm that we comply with all states Civil Union Acts or similar legislation.

COMB 98992

Ed. 4/2014

Page B of Instructions

Customer keeps this page

Request to Change Beneficiary on Life Insurance Policies

Please print using blue or black ink.

Initial any corrections or deletions that you make to the preprinted text.

About Your Policy

You can use this form to make changes to more than one policy as long as each policy insures the same person(s) and has the same owner, and you are requesting the same changes for each policy.

Policy number(s) (eight or nine characters)

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

Name of insured (first, middle initial, last name)

Name of joint insured, if any (first, middle initial, last name)

Has your mailing address, telephone number(s), or e-mail address changed?

Complete this section only if you are requesting a permanent change in your mailing address, have a new telephone number(s), or e-mail address.

Full address

Telephone number: Home

 

Mobile (Cell)

e-mail address

Mailing Instructions

Unless otherwise indicated in this section, confirmation of the change(s) will be mailed to the owner at the address in our records.

Name of Recipient of confirmation (first, middle initial, last name)

Full address

Request to Change Beneficiary (This revokes all prior beneficiary designations)

All beneficiaries need to be restated even if they are not being changed. For example, if you are changing only the contingent beneficiary, you must restate the primary beneficiary. If more space is needed for additional beneficiaries, use the Additional/Special Beneficiary Requests section.

A. To name individual beneficiary(ies), complete the following:

 Primary

 Contingent

Name (first, middle initial, last name)

Tertiary

Relationship to insured

 

Date of birth

 

Soc. Sec. no.

 

 

Full address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone number: Home

 

 

Mobile (Cell)

 

 

 

 

e-mail address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Primary

 Contingent

Name (first, middle initial, last name)

Tertiary

Relationship to insured

 

Date of birth

 

Soc. Sec. no.

 

 

Full address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone number: Home

 

 

Mobile (Cell)

 

 

 

 

e-mail address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Primary

 Contingent

Name (first, middle initial, last name)

Relationship to insured

Full address

Tertiary

Date of birth

 

Soc. Sec. no.

Telephone number: Home

 

Mobile (Cell)

 

 

e-mail address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMB 98992

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Page 1 of 3

(continued)

 

Return this page to Prudential

Initial any corrections or deletions that you make to the preprinted text.

Request to Change Beneficiary (continued)

B. To name a trustee under a living (inter-vivos) trust agreement , (the trust must already be in existence) complete the following:

 Primary

 Contingent

Name of current trustee(s)

Tertiary

Date of trust agreement

 

/

/

 

Trust is (check one) Irrevocable Revocable

Name of trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone #

 

 

 

e-mail address

 

 

 

Trust taxpayer identification #

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Whenever possible, include confirmation of the trust information by providing a copy of those pages of the trust documentation that show the name of the trust, name(s) of the trustee(s) and date of the trust.

C. To name a trust that will be established under the Insured’s Last Will and Testament (i.e. Testamentary Trust), check one of the following:

Primary

Contingent

Tertiary

Note: You may wish to consult legal counsel before choosing this arrangement. Only choose this arrangement if the insured’s will provides for the establishment of a trust. Trusts that are established prior to the insured’s death are not testamentary trusts. To name a trust that has already been established as a beneficiary, complete B above. Please refer to #5 in the Changing Your Beneficiary section on Page A of Instructions for additional information.

D. To name the insured’s estate as your sole beneficiary, check the following:

The insured’s estate. If choosing the insured’s estate, no other beneficiary can be selected.

E. To name a business/organization, complete the following:

 Primary

 

 Contingent

 Tertiary

Name of business/organization

 

 

 

 

 

Full address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone #

 

 

 

 

e-mail address

 

 

Employer taxpayer identification #

 

 

 

 

 

Type of business/organization

Corporation

Limited Liability Company

Name of sole proprietor (if applicable)

Partnership

Other

Sole Proprietorship

Additional/Special Beneficiary Requests

Use this section to name an additional beneficiary, a class or group not shown in the Request to Change Beneficiary section, or to select a payment option for your beneficiary.

For each additional individual beneficiary or member of a class or group (i.e. Children of the Insured), please provide the class (primary, contingent, tertiary), their full name, relationship to the insured, date of birth, social security number, address, home and/or mobile (cell) telephone number(s) and e-mail address.

COMB 98992

Ed. 4/2014Page 2 of 3

Return this page to Prudential

Initial any corrections or deletions that you make to the preprinted text.

Signature(s)/Signature Requirements (Always complete)

Your request cannot be processed without the correct signature(s), date, and applicable documentation.

For individual policyowner(s), the person (or persons if there are joint owners) that owns the policy must sign.

For corporations, an authorized officer must sign. Be sure to include the title of the officer and the company name.

If president – no additional requirements

If vice president – for policies over $1,000,000, provide a Corporate Secretary’s statement reflecting the vice president’s authority to sign

If any other officer – provide a corporate resolution

For limited liability companies (LLC), a copy of the document that identifies who is authorized to act on behalf of the LLC (e.g. operating agreement) must be submitted. The individual(s) authorized to act should sign and include his/her title and the company name.

For partnerships (LP, LLP, and LLLP), the form should be signed by at least two general partners, followed by the title “general partner” after each signature. If the company only has one general partner, then the sole general partner should sign followed by the title “sole general partner”. Also, include the company name.

For sole proprietorships, submit the signature of the owner, followed by “doing business as (company name), a sole proprietorship.“

For trusts, the trustee(s) must sign and include the title “trustee” after their signature. The name of the trust must also be indicated in the space provided for Business/Trust name. All trustees must sign unless the trust itself or state law provides otherwise.

A holder of a power of attorney for the policyowner must sign the form and include the title “attorney-in-fact for (owner’s name).” In addition, a copy of the power of attorney papers must be submitted along with the request.

For guardian (conservator) of the estate - sign as “guardian of the estate of (name of ward)”. A copy of the guardianship papers must also be submitted. Depending on the rights granted by the guardianship papers or the state, a court order authorizing the change may also be required.

For a policy containing a limitation of rights, the person or entity in whose favor the rights have been limited must also sign.

By signing this form, I:

certify that I am authorized to sign this form,

certify that the change(s) being requested are not subject to, or in conflict with, any prior agreement, legal proceeding, or court/administrative order, which restrict, limit, or otherwise prohibit such change(s), including, but not limited to divorce or bankruptcy proceedings,

authorize all request(s) made on this form, both preprinted and handwritten, which are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy,

request a waiver of any policy provision that requires me to send Prudential the policy for endorsement of the change(s),

certify that the policy(ies) is/are in my possession and that no other person has any claim or interest in it/them, except for a collateral assignee under any assignment now on record with Prudential,

certify that if the owner is a corporation or partnership, that it is not under receivership, trusteeship, or conservatorship, and/or has not been dissolved, and if a partnership, that no notice of disassociation has been filed by any partner, and

understand that any endorsement that Prudential may issue will conform to its rules and practices.

X

Current owner’s signatureDate signed month/day/year

X

Current joint owner’s signature(s) (if applicable)

 

Date signed month/day/year

 

 

 

Signer’s title (for business/trust owned only)

 

Business/Trust name (if applicable)

For Massachusetts residents only

State law requires that a disinterested adult, who is not a party to the policy, witness any request to change the beneficiary arrangement. Your Prudential representative may sign as a witness.

X

Witness’ signature (Massachusetts only)

COMB 98992

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Return this page to Prudential

Form Data

Fact Number Fact Detail
1 The form is used for changing beneficiaries on life insurance policies issued by Prudential Financial companies.
2 It covers policies from The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Life Insurance Company, and Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey.
3 Form users are instructed to review pre-filled information for accuracy and initial any corrections or deletions.
4 The completed form should be returned in its entirety without sending the actual policy.
5 Confirmation of the change(s) will be sent to the policy owner after processing.
6 Special instructions for designating different types of beneficiaries, including trusts and minors, are provided.
7 Detailed information is required for each beneficiary to help facilitate payment claims.
8 There are provisions for naming primary, contingent, and tertiary beneficiaries.
9 For Kentucky residents, there are specific prohibitions related to beneficiaries convicted of certain crimes.
10 The form complies with Civil Union Acts or similar legislation, treating civil unions and marriages equally.

Instructions on Utilizing Prudential Change Beneficiary

Completing the Prudential Change Beneficiary form is crucial for ensuring your life insurance benefits are directed according to your wishes. This process allows you to specify or modify who will receive the proceeds of your life insurance policy upon your passing. It's a straightforward task that requires attention to detail. Once the form is completed and submitted, Prudential will update your policy accordingly and send you a confirmation for your records. Here's how to fill out the form properly:

  1. Read the general information and instructions carefully to understand the process and requirements for changing your beneficiary.
  2. If any information is pre-filled, review it for accuracy. Make any necessary corrections or deletions directly on the form, and initial those changes.
  3. Fill in the policy number(s) section with the eight or nine-character policy number(s) related to the insurance policy you wish to change the beneficiary for.
  4. Provide the name of the insured, using the first name, middle initial, and last name format. If there is a joint insured, include their information as well.
  5. Update your contact information if your mailing address, telephone number(s), or email address has changed.
  6. Specify the recipient of the confirmation if it is to be mailed to an address different from the one on record.
  7. In the "Request to Change Beneficiary" section, state all beneficiaries, even those not being changed. This includes detailing primary, contingent, and tertiary beneficiaries if applicable.
  8. For each beneficiary, provide their full name, relationship to the insured, date of birth, Social Security number, full address, telephone numbers, and email address. Check the appropriate box to indicate if they are a primary, contingent, or tertiary beneficiary.
  9. If designating a trust or business/organization as a beneficiary, complete the relevant section (B, C, or E) with the required details, including the name, address, contact information, and identification numbers as instructed.
  10. Use the Additional/Special Beneficiary Requests section for any beneficiary arrangements not covered in the main part of the form, such as specifying payment percentages or including special provisions.
  11. Review the Special Beneficiary Designations and any pertinent state-specific notices, such as for Kentucky residents and the Civil Union Act, to ensure compliance with local regulations.
  12. Sign and date the form in the "Signature(s)/Signature Requirements" section. If the policy is owned by an entity other than an individual, ensure that the appropriate representative signs and includes their title.
  13. If applicable and you're a Massachusetts resident, have a disinterested adult witness your signature according to state law.
  14. Return the completed pages to Prudential, following any additional submission instructions provided.

Upon receiving your completed Change Beneficiary form, Prudential will update your life insurance policy as requested and send you a confirmation. This crucial step ensures your life insurance benefits are allocated as you intend, offering peace of mind to you and your loved ones.

Obtain Answers on Prudential Change Beneficiary

  1. How do I change the beneficiary on my Prudential Life Insurance policy?

    To change the beneficiary on your Prudential Life Insurance policy, you must complete the "Request to Change Beneficiary" section found on the Prudential Change Beneficiary form. It is critical to provide accurate and comprehensive details for each beneficiary you intend to name, including their relationship to the insured, date of birth, Social Security number, and contact information. If you are changing beneficiaries, ensure that all beneficiaries are restated on the form, even those that are not being changed. Once completed, return the entire form to Prudential, making sure to initial any corrections or deletions you have made. Do not send your policy document with the form.

  2. Can I name a trust as a beneficiary on my Prudential Life Insurance policy?

    Yes, you can name a trust as a beneficiary. If the trust is a living (inter-vivos) trust, complete section B of the request form, providing details about the trust and trustees. For a trust that is to be established under the insured’s Last Will and Testament (Testamentary Trust), section C should be completed. Remember, a Testamentary Trust is only valid if the insured’s will establishes the trust and the will is probated. It is advisable to consult legal counsel when considering naming a trust as a beneficiary to ensure compliance with legal requirements.

  3. What if I want to name a group or class as beneficiaries?

    For naming a group or class, such as "Children of the insured" or a group designated by a specific characteristic (e.g., by representation), use the "Additional/Special Beneficiary Requests" section. Clearly specify the group or class and provide additional identifying information if necessary. For complex beneficiary arrangements not clearly defined in the form, it's recommended to contact Prudential's Customer Service Office for guidance.

  4. Are there any special considerations for residents of Kentucky regarding beneficiary changes?

    For Kentucky residents, it's important to be aware that state law prevents a beneficiary from collecting benefits if they are convicted of certain crimes related to the death of the decedent or financial exploitation. Exceptions apply if the policy was executed or the felony committed before January 1, 2012, or if the decedent reaffirmed the beneficiary after knowing about the conviction. In the absence of eligible beneficiaries, the forfeited benefits are directed to the state's elder and vulnerable adult victims trust fund.

  5. What should I do if my personal information has changed along with changing my beneficiary?

    If you have a new mailing address, telephone number(s), or email address along with changing your beneficiary, it is essential to update your contact information in the designated section of the form. This ensures that Prudential can reach out to you with any questions or confirmations regarding your policy changes. Make sure all information is current and accurate before submitting the form to avoid delays in processing your request.

Common mistakes

Filling out a Prudential Change Beneficiary form is crucial to ensure your life insurance benefits will be distributed according to your wishes. However, people often make several common mistakes in this process. Recognizing and avoiding these errors can streamline the process and safeguard your intentions.

  1. Not reviewing pre-filled information: It's essential to verify any information that is pre-filled. If you find errors, make corrections and initial them. Overlooking this step can lead to inaccuracies in your beneficiary designations.

  2. Failing to return the complete form: Some might send in parts of the form or forget to send it at all. Remember, the whole form needs to be returned for the changes to be recorded.

  3. Unclear designation of beneficiary categories: Primary, contingent, and tertiary beneficiaries need to be clearly designated. Mixing up these categories can confuse who should receive the proceeds and when.

  4. Incomplete information for each beneficiary: Every beneficiary's name, relationship, date of birth, social security number, and contact information are necessary to process the form correctly.

  5. Omitting signatures: The form must be signed to be processed. Missing signatures, including those of joint owners or trustees where applicable, can invalidate your request.

  6. Incorrect special designations: Special instructions, like percentage distributions or dollar amounts to be paid, must be clearly stated. Vague or incorrect specifications can lead to misunderstandings.

  7. Not specifying a payment method for proceeds: If you want the proceeds to be distributed in a specific way, that needs to be detailed in the form. Without this, the default lump-sum payment method will be used.

  8. Naming a Testamentary Trust without proper documentation: A trust can only be named if the insured's will allows for its creation and the will is probated. Failing to provide necessary documentation causes delays or prevents payout to the trust.

  9. Not including required appendices for special designations: If special beneficiary designations are made, all requested identifying information and documentation must be included. This is often overlooked, leading to incomplete requests.

  10. Forgetting to include policy numbers: The form applies to policies with the same insured and owner when making the same changes. Not listing all policy numbers can mean not all intended policies are updated.

To avoid these common mistakes, take your time filling out the form, double-check all entries, and make sure all required documentation is complete and attached. This ensures your life insurance policy will benefit the right people according to your wishes.

Documents used along the form

When making changes to a beneficiary designation on life insurance policies through the Prudential Change Beneficiary Form, several other forms and documents may often be used in conjunction to ensure the accuracy, legality, and completeness of the beneficiary designation process. These documents support various conditions surrounding the policy owner's intent and the identification of the new beneficiary.

  • Trust Agreement Document: For policy owners wishing to name a trust as a beneficiary, a copy of the Trust Agreement or relevant pages are often submitted. This document establishes the trust's existence, trustees, and terms, aligning the life insurance policy with the trust's objectives.
  • Last Will and Testament: If the policy owner is designating a testamentary trust (one established by their will) as the beneficiary, a copy of the will or relevant portions may be required. This document confirms the trust's creation upon the policy owner's death and its integration with the overall estate plan.
  • Power of Attorney (POA): Individuals managing affairs under a power of attorney may need to submit a copy of the POA document. This form authenticates the authority to make changes on behalf of the policy owner, ensuring legal compliance in the beneficiary change process.
  • Corporate Resolution or Operating Agreement: For life insurance policies owned by a business entity, such as a corporation or LLC, documents like a corporate resolution or the operating agreement might be necessary. These documents prove the signatory’s authority to make changes to the policy on behalf of the business.
  • Guardianship Papers: In cases where changes are being made by a guardian or conservator, documentation proving the guardianship or conservatorship is essential. This ensures that the individual has the legal right to make decisions concerning the life insurance policy for the protected individual.

The precise documents needed might vary based on the specifics of each individual case, such as the policy owner's situation, the nature of the beneficiary being designated, and legal requirements. Submitting the correct forms and documents alongside the Prudential Change Beneficiary Form is crucial for accurately and lawfully executing a change in beneficiary.

Similar forms

  • Power of Attorney Form: Much like the Prudential Change Beneficiary Form, a Power of Attorney Form grants or changes legal permissions. While the beneficiary form adjusts who will receive benefits from a policy, a power of attorney form grants someone the authority to make decisions on another's behalf, showcasing legal delegation in both scenarios.

  • Will or Testament: Similar to changing a beneficiary, creating or amending a will involves specifying who will inherit assets after one's death. Both documents ensure that assets are distributed according to the policyholder or testator's wishes, taking effect upon their passing.

  • Trust Agreement: This document, akin to the beneficiary form, establishes a fiduciary arrangement, appointing a trustee to hold assets for the beneficiaries. Both involve designated individuals managing or benefitting from assets, albeit with different structures and for potentially different purposes.

  • Transfer on Death (TOD) Registration Form: Similar to a Change Beneficiary Form, a TOD form designates beneficiaries for specific assets, like securities. Both bypass probate, directly transferring assets upon death, but while the Prudential form is for life insurance, TOD can apply to a wider range of assets.

  • Pension Plan Beneficiary Designation: Much like life insurance policies, pension plans require beneficiaries to be named, which can be altered with a form similar to Prudential's. Both ensure that benefits are paid out to the intended parties upon the account holder's death.

  • Life Insurance Application: Initially designates a beneficiary for the policy, paralleling the Prudential form which changes the beneficiary post-issuance. Both are critical in managing who receives the policy proceeds.

  • Change of Ownership Form: For life insurance, transferring ownership affects who controls the policy and can change the beneficiary. Like changing a beneficiary, it alters who benefits from the policy, indicating the versatile control over the policy's future.

  • Healthcare Proxy or Medical Power of Attorney: Designates an agent to make healthcare decisions, similar to how a beneficiary form designates who receives benefits. Both delegate responsibilities to chosen individuals for specific circumstances.

  • IRA Beneficiary Designation Form: Identifies beneficiaries for an individual retirement account (IRA), similar to life insurance forms. Both aim to avoid probate by directly transferring assets to named beneficiaries upon the account holder’s death.

  • Employee Benefit Plan Beneficiary Designation: Used in workplace retirement and insurance benefits, this designates who receives benefits, akin to the Prudential form's role in determining life insurance payouts, both pivotal in future planning.

Dos and Don'ts

When engaging with the task of filling out the Prudential Change Beneficiary form, ensuring accuracy and compliance with the requirements can safeguard against potential complications. Here are some guidelines to help navigate the process smoothly:

Do:

  • Review all pre-filled information carefully. If there are any inaccuracies, make the necessary corrections or deletions directly on the form. To acknowledge these changes, initial next to them. This step is crucial as overlooking it may result in the inability of the company to process your request.
  • Return the completed form in its entirety. It's important to send back the whole document to make sure that all parts of your request are received and processed accurately.
  • Contact Prudential's Customer Service Office if the arrangement you desire is not clearly provided for on the form. This can help clarify any special requests and ensure that your beneficiary designations are accurately recorded.
  • Utilize blue or black ink when filling out the form. This ensures that the form is legible and that all information is captured correctly during processing.

Don't:

  • Do not send the original policy document back with the form. The company does not require the physical policy to make changes to your beneficiary arrangements. Keeping your original policy documents safe is important for your records.
  • Avoid leaving sections incomplete if you're making changes. Even if you're not altering certain beneficiaries, you must restate all details in the section provided to avoid any ambiguity about your intentions.
  • Refrain from using terms like "per stirpes" in special beneficiary designations, as these might not be recognized in the same way by Prudential. Instead, follow the guidelines provided on how to list beneficiaries when a desire is to distribute to descendants.
  • Do not forget to sign the form and, where applicable, gather any required additional signatures. Without the proper signatures, your request cannot be processed, potentially delaying or nullifying your intended changes.

Understanding the importance of each step in this process can provide peace of mind and ensure that your intentions regarding your life insurance policy beneficiaries are carried out as you wish. If any part of the process seems unclear, reaching out to Customer Service or a legal professional can provide additional guidance.

Misconceptions

When dealing with the Prudential Change Beneficiary form, there are several misconceptions that people often have. Understanding these misconceptions can help ensure that the process of changing a beneficiary on a life insurance policy goes smoothly and according to one's wishes.

  • Misconception 1: I can only request a change to my beneficiary information if my policy was issued by a specific Prudential company.

    In fact, the form applies to policies issued by any of the Prudential Financial companies, including The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, and Pruco Life Insurance Company. Therefore, you are not limited by the issuing company of your policy.

  • Misconception 2: It's okay to only send the sections of the completed form that I filled out.

    Actually, it's important to return the form in its entirety, even if some sections don't apply to your request. Sending the entire form ensures that Prudential has all necessary information to process your change.

  • Misconception 3: I need to send in my policy document with the change request form.

    You should not send your policy document itself when requesting a change. The form is all that's needed to initiate the change, alongside any other required documentation specifically requested by Prudential.

  • Misconception 4: The form will automatically update settlement options for how my beneficiaries receive their proceeds.

    Changes to how beneficiaries will receive proceeds, such as through a lump sum or a different method, must be specified in the Additional/Special Beneficiary Requests section. Without such specification, proceeds are typically paid out in a lump sum.

  • Misconception 5: You can't name a trust as a beneficiary unless it's already been established.

    While a trust does need to exist before being named as a beneficiary on this form, there is a specific process for naming trusts that will be established under the insured’s will (Testamentary Trusts). This provides flexibility for estate planning without needing the trust to be fully established at the time of the change request.

  • Misconception 6: Information about all beneficiaries, including tertiary ones, is not crucial.

    The form requires detailed information about each beneficiary, regardless of their classification (primary, contingent, or tertiary). This helps ensure that Prudential can accurately identify and locate the beneficiary when a claim is made.

  • Misconception 7: Writing "children" as beneficiaries will automatically include all of my children.

    When designating children as beneficiaries, specifying whether you mean "children of the insured" or using a phrase like "children by representation" for deceased children's offspring is crucial for clarity. Incorrect or vague wording could lead to confusion or misinterpretation of your intentions.

  • Misconception 8: Only biological children can be included under the term "children as a group."

    Legally adopted children are included under the designation “Children of the insured,” ensuring that one's intentions toward all their children, whether biological or adopted, are clear and enforceable.

Understanding these misconceptions and the specifics of the Change Beneficiary form can help policy owners navigate the process more confidently, ensuring that their life insurance benefits are allocated exactly as they intend.

Key takeaways

When making changes to your beneficiary designations with Prudential, understanding the proper steps and legal implications is crucial. The guidelines below aim to make this process clear and ensure that your intentions are accurately reflected.

  • Thoroughly verify all pre-filled information on the Prudential Change Beneficiary Form. It is important to initial any changes or deletions made to preprinted text to confirm their accuracy. Neglecting this could lead to misunderstandings or delays in processing your request.
  • Complete and return the full form without including the insurance policy itself. Prudential requires the entire form to process the changes you are requesting. Sending the policy is unnecessary and discouraged for security reasons.
  • Understanding the classification of beneficiaries (primary, contingent, and tertiary) is crucial. These categories determine the order in which beneficiaries will receive proceeds from your policy. Incorrect classification could result in unintended distribution of your assets.
  • When designating more than one beneficiary within the same class, be clear if you wish the proceeds to be divided in equal shares or in a specific manner. Without specified instructions, beneficiaries in the same class will receive equal shares of the proceeds.
  • For those considering a Testamentary Trust as a beneficiary, it is imperative that your last will and testament establishes the trust. This trust arrangement takes effect upon the death of the policyowner and must be properly documented and probated to be recognized.
  • Special Beneficiary Designations allow for a tailored approach to directing the distribution of your policy's proceeds. Whether you’re allocating funds to minor children, setting up specific dollar amounts, or assigning percentages to each beneficiary, it's vital to clearly specify your wishes.

Completing the Prudential Change Beneficiary Form with care and precision ensures that your final wishes are honored and your loved ones are cared for in the manner you intend. Should you need guidance on arrangements not covered by the form, contacting Prudential's Customer Service Office can provide the clarity needed to make informed decisions.

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