Estate Planning 101

Notifying Pacific Life After a Loved One’s Passing

September 13, 2023

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Snug makes it easy to create a Will or Trust in under 20 minutes. Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives are included for free with any Will or Trust, as is a year of free updates.
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The death of a loved one is a challenging time, and amidst the grief, several responsibilities need to be taken care of. One of these is notifying relevant organizations such as an annuity provider like Pacific Life. This step is essential to settle financial matters and ensure a smooth transition of benefits if any.

Who Should Be Notified

Pacific Life, as the provider of the deceased's annuity, should be notified of their death. They will need to stop any ongoing annuity payouts and provide information about any potential death benefits or remaining balances that may be due to beneficiaries.

When to Notify

You should notify Pacific Life as soon as possible following the death of your loved one. Prompt notification will prevent any potential overpayments and help expedite the process of settling the deceased's financial affairs.

How to Notify

You can notify Pacific Life of the death of a loved one by calling their customer service line at 1-800-722-4448 or by mail. The company may require a copy of the death certificate, so it's advisable to have this document ready.

What to Expect After Notification

Once Pacific Life has been notified of the death, they will review the annuity contract and provide information about any next steps. These might include the disbursement of any remaining annuity payments or death benefits to named beneficiaries. The company may also provide forms or documentation that need to be completed.

Tips for Notification

When notifying Pacific Life, make sure you have pertinent information such as the deceased's full name, the annuity policy number, and their Social Security number. It's also advisable to keep a record of all communications with Pacific Life for future reference.

Conclusion

While navigating the loss of a loved one, taking care of administrative tasks such as notifying the annuity provider can be daunting. However, by understanding the process and what to expect, you can complete this task efficiently and help ensure that any financial matters are properly settled.

FAQ

Q: Can I notify Pacific Life online?
A: Currently, Pacific Life does not offer an online notification service. You must call their customer service line or notify them by mail.

Q: What if I can't find my loved one's annuity policy number?
A: If you don't have the policy number, Pacific Life can likely locate the policy using the deceased's full name and Social Security number.

Q: What happens to the annuity after the policyholder's death?
A: The specific outcome depends on the terms of the annuity contract. Some annuities may continue payments to a designated beneficiary, while others may pay out a death benefit or remaining balance.