What Stands Out in TIAA’s Forms
- TIAA’s IRA and 403(b) beneficiary forms offer no per stirpes election.
- The IRA form offers payment to a deceased beneficiary’s children, which reaches one generation, so grandchildren of a beneficiary who died first are not covered.
- TIAA accepts custom beneficiary designations, subject to its own review.
- TIAA-CREF Funds accounts registered transfer on death do offer per stirpes.
Each account type below follows its own form. For every rule, the answer is in plain words, and “Show the wording” opens the firm’s own sentence with its form number, revision date and page. “Not stated” means the firm’s public documents are silent on the point, not that it refuses.
IRA: TIAA
Covers Traditional IRA (TIAA/CREF IRA annuity contracts covered by F11468; TIAA Trust N.A. brokerage IRAs use F11555, not retrieved); TIAA Trust, N.A. Directed Roth IRA (brokerage IRA; trust agreement P0531); TIAA-CREF Funds Traditional and Roth IRA (UMB Bank, n.a. custodian).
Can a trust be the primary beneficiary?
Yes. Yes (living or testamentary trust; not "Will")
Show the wording
“A beneficiary can be an individual, an institution, an organization, a trust, or your estate. ... We cannot accept a 'Will' as a designation, but you can designate a Testamentary Trust if we are provided with the 'Will' creation date”
Can a trust be a contingent beneficiary?
Yes. Yes
Show the wording
“4. CHOOSING YOUR CONTINGENT BENEFICIARIES ... Date of Birth/Date of Trust/Issue Date of Will”
How must a trust be named?
Yes. Date of trust (or will date for a testamentary trust); no trustee name asked
Show the wording
“Date of Birth/Date of Trust/ Issue Date of Will* (mm/dd/yyyy)”
What trust details are asked for?
Yes. Trust name, date of trust (or will date for testamentary trust), TIN
Show the wording
“Date of Birth/Date of Trust/ Issue Date of Will* (mm/dd/yyyy)”
Sample trust wording
Yes. Testamentary trust named with the will's date
Show the wording
“TIAA can only accept a testamentary trust if you give us the create date of the will at the time of the designation. A designation of 'Will' is not acceptable.”
Trust documents requested
No. No; TIAA will not review trust terms
Show the wording
“TIAA will not accept or be obliged to inquire into the terms of any trust affecting the annuity contract/certificate/account or its death benefit and shall not be charged with knowledge of terms thereof.”
Per stirpes offered?
No. No; offers "Payments made to this deceased beneficiary's children" (one generation)
Show the wording
“If you check 'Payments made to this deceased beneficiary's children' and the named beneficiary predeceases you, the monies which would have been paid to that beneficiary will be divided proportionately among his/her children (if any).”
Can you name a class, such as “my descendants”?
Yes. Only the children of a named beneficiary, via the "Payments made to this deceased beneficiary's children" box (one generation, no LDPS)
Show the wording
“Beneficiaries can also be the children of the beneficiaries that you designate on this form.”
Custom designations accepted?
Yes. Yes, attach signed letter for a trust or "additional instructions"
Show the wording
“Check this box and attach a signed letter to list additional primary and/or contingent beneficiaries, a trust or to provide additional instructions.”
If a beneficiary dies first
Yes. Children-of-deceased-beneficiary option; otherwise pro rata lapse
Show the wording
“If a beneficiary predeceases you ... the proportion of the benefits that would have otherwise been apportioned to such deceased beneficiary shall instead be divided to the other beneficiaries who survive you”
If no beneficiary is named or survives
Yes. Estate (per form)
Show the wording
“If none of the beneficiaries are living at the time of your death, we will pay your Estate”
Minor beneficiaries
Yes. UTMA/UGMA custodial account opened by a parent, guardian or conservator
Show the wording
“If the Beneficiary to which a distribution must be made is a minor, such distribution shall be made to a custodian account established by the parent, guardian or conservator of such Beneficiary, or other person as permitted, under the Uniform Transfers to Minors or the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act”
Can the estate be named?
Yes. Yes
Show the wording
“A beneficiary can be an individual, an institution, an organization, a trust, or your estate.”
Effect of divorce
Yes. Custodian may follow a state law or decree that revokes the designation on divorce, if it knows the facts
Show the wording
“the Custodian may disregard the express terms of a Beneficiary designation under Section 8.11(a) and pay over the balance of the deceased Depositor's interest in his or her Custodial Account to a different person, trust, estate or other beneficiary, where the Custodian determines, in the reasonable and good faith exercise of its discretion, that an applicable state law, court decree or other ruling governing the disposition or appointment of property incident to a divorce”
Limit on the number of beneficiaries
No. 4 primary and 4 contingent lines; attach a signed letter for more
Show the wording
“Check this box and attach a signed letter to list additional primary and/or contingent beneficiaries”
Wording the firm refuses
Yes. "Will" refused; designations only at contract/account level
Show the wording
“TIAA cannot accept a 'Will' as a designation. ... Plan-based designations are not acceptable.”
Can you change it online?
Yes. Online at TIAA.org; not by phone
Show the wording
“To update or change your beneficiary designation, please visit us online at TIAA.org/profile ... Once logged in, under the Action tab, choose Add/Edit beneficiaries. ... For your protection, we cannot change your beneficiary information over the phone.”
How to submit
Yes. Online; digital signature; upload (app or tiaa.org/upload); fax; mail; not by phone
Show the wording
“To update or change your beneficiary designation, please visit us online at TIAA.org/profile ... OPTION 2: Use the TIAA mobile app to quickly upload your completed document(s). ... Go to tiaa.org/upload, select Upload files ... If you prefer to fax or mail your completed documents, use the information provided below.”
Employer plan: TIAA
Covers 403(b)/401(k)/401(a) employer plan (TIAA and CREF contracts).
Can a trust be the primary beneficiary?
Yes. Yes (living or testamentary trust; not "Will")
Show the wording
“A beneficiary can be an individual, an institution, an organization, a trust, or your estate. ... We cannot accept a 'Will' as a designation, but you can designate a Testamentary Trust if we are provided with the 'Will' creation date”
Can a trust be a contingent beneficiary?
Yes. Yes
Show the wording
“4. CHOOSING YOUR CONTINGENT BENEFICIARIES ... Date of Birth/Date of Trust/Issue Date of Will”
How must a trust be named?
Yes. Date of trust (or will date for a testamentary trust); no trustee name asked
Show the wording
“Date of Birth/Date of Trust/ Issue Date of Will* (mm/dd/yyyy)”
What trust details are asked for?
Yes. Trust name, date of trust (or will date for testamentary trust), TIN
Show the wording
“Date of Birth/Date of Trust/ Issue Date of Will* (mm/dd/yyyy)”
Sample trust wording
Yes. Testamentary trust named with the will's date
Show the wording
“TIAA can only accept a testamentary trust if you give us the create date of the will at the time of the designation. A designation of 'Will' is not acceptable.”
Trust documents requested
No. No; TIAA will not review trust terms
Show the wording
“TIAA will not accept or be obliged to inquire into the terms of any trust affecting the annuity contract/certificate/account or its death benefit and shall not be charged with knowledge of terms thereof.”
Per stirpes offered?
No. No; offers "Payments made to this deceased beneficiary's children" (one generation)
Show the wording
“If you check 'Payments made to this deceased beneficiary's children' and the named beneficiary predeceases you, the monies which would have been paid to that beneficiary will be divided proportionately among his/her children (if any).”
Can you name a class, such as “my descendants”?
Yes. Only the children of a named beneficiary, via the "Payments made to this deceased beneficiary's children" box (one generation, no LDPS)
Show the wording
“Beneficiaries can also be the children of the beneficiaries that you designate on this form.”
Custom designations accepted?
Yes. Yes, attach signed letter for a trust or "additional instructions"
Show the wording
“Check this box and attach a signed letter to list additional primary and/or contingent beneficiaries, a trust or to provide additional instructions.”
If a beneficiary dies first
Yes. Children-of-deceased-beneficiary option; otherwise pro rata lapse
Show the wording
“If a beneficiary predeceases you ... the proportion of the benefits that would have otherwise been apportioned to such deceased beneficiary shall instead be divided to the other beneficiaries who survive you”
If no beneficiary is named or survives
Yes. Estate unless plan provisions say otherwise
Show the wording
“If none of the beneficiaries are living at the time of your death, we will pay your Estate, unless the plan provision states otherwise.”
Can the estate be named?
Yes. Yes
Show the wording
“A beneficiary can be an individual, an institution, an organization, a trust, or your estate.”
Spousal consent
Yes. Yes, ERISA/plan spouse gets 50% to 100% unless waiver witnessed by notary or plan representative; online notarization accepted
Show the wording
“If you are married at the time of your death, your spouse is entitled to receive at least 50%, up to 100%, of your death benefits under a retirement or tax-deferred annuity plan covered by any of the following: ERISA, your plan's provisions, or state law. ... A Notary Public or Plan Representative must witness your spouse signing and dating his or her consent.”
Limit on the number of beneficiaries
No. 4 primary and 4 contingent lines; attach a signed letter for more
Show the wording
“Check this box and attach a signed letter to list additional primary and/or contingent beneficiaries”
Wording the firm refuses
Yes. "Will" refused; designations only at contract/account level
Show the wording
“TIAA cannot accept a 'Will' as a designation. ... Plan-based designations are not acceptable.”
Can you change it online?
Yes. Online at TIAA.org; not by phone
Show the wording
“To update or change your beneficiary designation, please visit us online at TIAA.org/profile ... Once logged in, under the Action tab, choose Add/Edit beneficiaries. ... For your protection, we cannot change your beneficiary information over the phone.”
How to submit
Yes. Online; digital signature; upload (app or tiaa.org/upload); fax; mail; not by phone
Show the wording
“To update or change your beneficiary designation, please visit us online at TIAA.org/profile ... OPTION 2: Use the TIAA mobile app to quickly upload your completed document(s). ... Go to tiaa.org/upload, select Upload files ... If you prefer to fax or mail your completed documents, use the information provided below.”
Brokerage TOD: TIAA
Covers TIAA-CREF Funds individual or joint account with TOD (application F11154).
Per stirpes offered?
Yes. One checkbox per level (primary, contingent) applies to every beneficiary at that level
Show the wording
“If a beneficiary should predecease you and you want that beneficiary's share to go to his or her lineal descendants, check per stirpes. ... Yes, add Per Stirpes (For every beneficiary)”
How per stirpes is defined
Yes. A predeceased beneficiary's share goes to that beneficiary's lineal descendants
Show the wording
“If a beneficiary should predecease you and you want that beneficiary's share to go to his or her lineal descendants, check per stirpes.”
Can you name a class, such as “my descendants”?
Yes. LDPS checkbox for all named beneficiaries
Show the wording
“Lineal Descendants Per Stirpes ... Yes, add Per Stirpes (For every beneficiary)”
If a beneficiary dies first
Yes. Without per stirpes, pro rata to surviving beneficiaries; the predeceased beneficiary's estate takes nothing
Show the wording
“If a primary beneficiary predeceases you, his or her share shall be divided proportionately among the surviving primary beneficiaries. ... Otherwise, a beneficiary's rights end with the death of that beneficiary, and the estate of a predeceased beneficiary has no claim to or interest in your account.”
If no beneficiary is named or survives
Yes. Owner's estate
Show the wording
“If there are no surviving contingent beneficiaries at the time of your death, we will transfer ownership of your account to your estate.”
Minor beneficiaries
Yes. A custodian may be named on each beneficiary line
Limit on the number of beneficiaries
No. 2 primary and 2 contingent lines; extra sheet allowed
Show the wording
“For additional beneficiaries, please attach a separate piece of paper.”
Wording the firm refuses
Yes. A joint owner cannot be a TOD beneficiary; TOD only for Individual or Joint registrations
Show the wording
“Please take note that the Custodian or a joint owner may not be designated as the Beneficiary.”
How to submit
Yes. Mail (standard or overnight) to TIAA-CREF Funds, Kansas City
Show the wording
“Please send your signed and completed application to TIAA-CREF Funds per the Return Completed Forms section below or in the enclosed postage-paid business-reply envelope.”
Do your TIAA beneficiaries match your will or trust?
Book a free 30-minute consult. We will read your designations against your estate plan and fix the ones that do not match.
Book your free consultRelated Guides
- Fidelity Beneficiary Forms: IRA, TOD, 401(k) and HSA Rules
- Vanguard Beneficiary Form Rules: IRA, TOD and 401(k)
- Beneficiary designation rules at 286 institutions
- Can a trust be a beneficiary? How to name one, form by form
- What is a TOD account
- Naming a trust as IRA beneficiary
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is the TIAA Beneficiary Designation Form?
TIAA takes beneficiary changes online at TIAA.org, by upload, fax or mail, but not by phone, and its paper forms differ by product, with separate forms for IRA annuity contracts and for employer plan contracts. TIAA-CREF Funds accounts use the account application’s transfer on death section.
Does TIAA Allow Per Stirpes?
Not on its IRA or employer plan beneficiary forms. The IRA form offers payment to a deceased beneficiary’s children instead, which covers one generation. TIAA-CREF Funds transfer on death accounts do offer per stirpes.
Can I Name a Trust as My TIAA Beneficiary?
Yes. TIAA’s forms let you name a trust, and for a trust created by a will, TIAA needs the date of the will at the time of the designation.
Common Situations
The professor’s grandchildren. A retired professor names her two sons on her TIAA IRA and checks the option to pay a deceased beneficiary’s children. One son dies before her, leaving children, and they take his share. If that son’s child had also died before her, the option would not reach the next generation, which per stirpes would.
The trust created by a will. A man wants his TIAA 403(b) to pass to a trust that his will creates. TIAA accepts a testamentary trust only with the date of the will at the time of the designation, so the designation has to be updated whenever he signs a new will.
Sources
Every rule on this page is from TIAA’s own forms, agreements and plan documents, read September 24 and 25, 2026 for our beneficiary designation rules dataset, where each quotation is listed with its source, form number, revision date and page. Firms revise their forms; confirm the current version with TIAA.
Updated on September 28, 2026. Reviewed by Kevin D. Klagge, Esq., Fla. Bar No. 99502. Attorney Kevin Klagge represents families, businesses, and international clients in estate and tax planning, business structuring, and international law, with a focus on Florida legal tools. He litigates estate and business issues in court. StepUpLaw is not affiliated with TIAA, and the quotations are from its own published documents. General information, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Do not send confidential information until we have agreed to represent you.
More Guides on Florida Estate Planning
This guide is part of Florida Estate Planning.
- Payable on Death (POD) Account Rules
- Annuity and Life Insurance Beneficiary Rules
- IRA Beneficiary Designation Rules
- 401(k), 403(b) and TSP Beneficiary Rules
- Transfer on Death (TOD) Beneficiary Rules
- Fidelity TOD Account
- Chase Payable on Death (POD) Account
- Bank of America Payable on Death (POD) Account
Try the Which Estate Plan Do I Need? (quiz).