Group annuities claim center
We know how hard it is to lose a loved one. That's why we've made the entire claims process as quick and easy as possible.
Here’s everything you need to know about settling your claim:
1 Report a loved one’s passing
Give us a call at 800-624-5155 or report it online.
Once we are notified of a death, we verify the participant or payee information, determine if a benefit is due, and restrict any benefit payments from further activity until the death claim is settled. If a benefit is due, a claim package will be provided to the designated contingent annuitant or beneficiary generally within 5 business days from the notification of death. If there is no benefit due, a claim representative will also reach out to notify the family of the deceased that no benefit is payable upon death.
What is required to report a death?
- Deceased name
- Social Security number
- Customer number
- Date of death
- Requestor name
- Requestor relationship
- Requestor address
2 Review your settlement options and submit your forms
In order to settle any benefits due, we will need, at a minimum, the following:
- Completed and signed claim forms. Additional documents may be required, depending on the state in which you reside. Please refer to the instructions within your claim package for more information.
- A certified death certificate. A copy is generally acceptable unless the death certificate was issued outside of the United States or Canada.
- A voided check for electronic payments.
- State tax withholding forms, if applicable.
3 Settle your claim
Once you have completed step 2 and all paperwork has been received in good order, the death benefit will generally be processed within 5 days.
To help expedite the settlement of your death claim, a claim representative may contact the claimant from time to time to check in on the status of submitting the claim paperwork or to answer any questions the claimant may have.
Please note that failure to settle a death claim may result in the benefits being paid to applicable state agencies in accordance with state unclaimed property laws.
Take a look at our most frequently asked questions:
What if I receive payment for a participant after their death?
It is very common for a periodic monthly benefit to continue to be paid after the death of a participant. This is because John Hancock is typically notified of death during the month after the participant’s passing and a benefit payment has already been released. If this occurs, please call us at 800-624-5155 weekdays during Eastern Time Business Hours. We will instruct you on how to handle the post-death payments. The handling treatment will depend when the payments were issued and if a continuing benefit is due.
Why can't I choose a death benefit settlement option?
When the participant completed the Benefit election form upon retirement, they elected the type of benefit, including whether the benefit was to be payable only to them, or whether subsequent payments or continuation of a benefit would be due to a spouse or contingent annuitant upon the participant’s death.
How can the death of a participant result in no death benefit due?
Whether or not a death benefit is due is based on the terms of the group annuity contract and the benefit option chosen by the participant when they commenced retirement benefits. Once a benefit option is chosen, it cannot be changed. As the beneficiary or contingent annuitant, you cannot change or elect a benefit option.
When will my claim be processed once you have received all of the necessary forms and documents? Will I receive a statement when it's paid?
Claims are generally processed within 5 business days after all of the necessary forms and documents are received in good order. A confirmation letter will be sent with the claim payment.
John Hancock Annuities are issued by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Lansing, MI 48906, which is not licensed in New York. In New York, John Hancock Annuities are issued by John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY 10595. John Hancock Variable Annuities are distributed by John Hancock Distributors LLC.
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