Refer to examples of beneficiary designations on the second page of the form.
Submit completed forms to:
customerservice@kclife.com
or www.kclic.net secure download portal or
Fax to: 816-931-3585 or mail to: P.O. Box 219272, Kansas City, MO 64111
To change a beneficiary to a Trust, submit the complete name and date of the Trust, as well as the name(s) of the Trustee(s) on Form 299SP. A copy of the trust document that lists the Trustee(s) is also helpful.
Dollar amounts are not acceptable. Percentages are acceptable with a contingent beneficiary listed for each primary designation. This is required so the proceeds will be properly distributed in the event the beneficiary predeceases the Insured.
States may have specified requirements, refer to the chart provided.
For Community Property states, if the spouse is not designated as the primary beneficiary, that spouse may have a statutory claim to a portion of the proceeds if the premiums were paid for with funds considered Community Property.
Critical information required on change form:
1. Policy number(s) and Insured’s name.
2. New beneficiary’s full name(s).
3. Relationship(s) to the insured.
4. Clear designations for primary and contingent beneficiaries with the proper/acceptable wording.
5. The date of birth, address and Social Security number for each beneficiary.
6. Owner(s) signature in ink. If the policy contains an Irrevocable beneficiary, creditor beneficiary, assignment, additional signatures are necessary.
7. Current date and Social Security number (which may be truncated).
8. Complete address and proper wording when a Corporation or Funeral Home is named.
a. Georgia, Michigan and Texas statutes do not allow Kansas City Life to permit funeral home designations.
b. Illinois statutes cannot name a funeral home as beneficiary upon policy issue.
c. In many situations it may be helpful to clarify “as their interest may appear” when naming a funeral home in acceptable states. When policy benefits exceed funeral home costs, any excess benefits will be paid to the nonfuneral home beneficiary, or the person listed as contingent beneficiary.
9. If changing the beneficiary designation for an Other Insured Rider, indicate such in the “Insured” section at the top of the form, along with the policy number that contains the coverage.
State-specific requirements:
| Alaska | Community Property State |
| Arizona | Community Property State |
| California | Community Property State |
| Georgia | Must have the name, address, and Social Security number for each beneficiary. Requires the name of the children be given, cannot use “children born of the marriage.” Cannot name a funeral home as beneficiary. |
| Idaho | Community Property State. Must have address and Social Security number for each beneficiary. |
| Illinois | Funeral home cannot be named when policy is issued, can accept a collateral assignment to the funeral home or we can accept a change to a funeral home after the policy has been issued. |
| Louisiana | Community Property State. Must have the name, address and Social Security number for each beneficiary. |
| Maryland | Insured can name a funeral home as the beneficiary as long as if he or she is the insured and owner on the policy. |
| Massachusetts | Beneficiary form must be witnessed by a disinterested third party. |
| Michigan | Cannot name a funeral home as beneficiary but can collaterally assign the policy to a funeral home. |
| Minnesota | A funeral home can be named as the beneficiary as long as the wording “as their interest may appear” is included in the designation. |
| Montana | A funeral home can be named as the beneficiary if the wording “as their interest may appear” is included in the designation. |
| Nevada | Community Property State |
| New Mexico | Community Property State |
| Oklahoma | If a charitable, benevolent, education or religious institution is named, both the owner and insured must sign the change form. Cannot name a funeral home as beneficiary. Can assign the policy to a funeral home using the Oklahoma assignment form. |
| South Dakota | They can collaterally assign the policy to a funeral home or designate a funeral home as an irrevocable beneficiary if the wording “as their interest may appear” is included in the designation. Must have address and Social Security number for each beneficiary. |
| Texas | Community Property State. Cannot name a funeral home as beneficiary. |
| Virginia | Must have address and Social Security number for each beneficiary. |
| Washington | Community Property State. Must have address and Social Security number for each beneficiary. |
| Wisconsin | Community Property State |
Minor Beneficiaries
We may not be able to pay benefits to a minor beneficiary because the minor can’t give a legally valid receipt. When benefits are owed to a minor, often the minor’s parents want the benefits to be paid to them and do not understand that we cannot do so. The best choice to provide for a minor is for the policyowner to establish a Trust for the benefit of the minor and name the Trustee as beneficiary of the life insurance policy.
If the policyowner elects not to establish a Trust, they may name a custodian as payee. Any benefits remaining when the custodianship ends (usually upon attaining the age of majority) must be paid out by the custodian to the (former) minor.
In most states such a designation should read: "[name of minor] if an adult, otherwise to [name of adult] as custodian for [name of minor] under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act as enacted in this state." In South Carolina and Vermont, the designation should refer to the "Uniform Gifts to Minors Act."
Divorce Statuses
If a policyowner wants to leave their ex-spouse as the beneficiary of their policy, they should submit a new beneficiary form showing the relationship as “ex-spouse”. Some states have adopted legislation that automatically revokes spousal beneficiary designations upon divorce.
Income Assured Option (IAO), also known as Designation of Death Benefit Payout option
This is a no-cost endorsement that allows the policyowner to customize how the death benefit is paid out. The Owner needs to select the amount, duration and frequency of income payments while maintaining a lump sum benefit at their death. Income stream payments may be made for a period of five to 30 years, annually, semi-annually, quarterly or monthly. Run an illustration to determine these amounts. Follow the forms wizard on the Illustration System (www.iKCLife.com) to ensure all required forms are submitted. For assistance or questions on this rider, contact Sales and Marketing at ext. 6411.