The Estate Desk

Last verified 2026-10-30; facts checked against the primary sources below

American Century death of account holder: how to report it and transfer the accounts

Last verified: October 30, 2026

The short answer: Call American Century at 1-800-345-2021, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, and say the account holder died (American Century). Its Estate Transfer team is also listed at 1-800-422-3301 (Inheritance Checklist). To move the money, you send a copy of the death certificate plus a Beneficiary Instruction Form for an IRA, or a Decedent Account Instruction Form for an individual, joint or trust account (American Century).

American Century's pages list no online death notification form. Start with a phone call. Do not use the general Transfer of Ownership form for a death: that form tells you to call for the right paperwork when shares move because an investor died (Transfer of Ownership form).

Who do you call at American Century?

Pick the line that matches the account. A recent statement shows the account type.

Account the person had Phone and hours Source
Individual non-retirement account or IRA, including Roth and Rollover 1-800-345-2021, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. Fax 1-888-327-1998 American Century
Inherited account questions (Estate Transfer team) 1-800-422-3301. No hours are listed for this number Inheritance Checklist; IRA brochure
American Century Brokerage account 1-888-345-2071, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time American Century
Employer plan such as a 403(b), SIMPLE IRA or SEP IRA 1-800-345-3533, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time American Century
Account bought through an outside financial advisor 1-800-378-9878, Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time American Century
Private Client Group advisory account (number starts with XEZ) 1-833-442-2737, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time American Century
Online advisory account (number starts with ASJ) 1-800-981-7923, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time American Century
Calling from outside the U.S. +1-816-340-7000 American Century

American Century's education account page lists CESA and UTMA accounts, not a 529 plan (American Century).

What documents does American Century need?

It depends on how the account was registered. This list is from American Century's inheritance page.

Account type Who usually acts Documents
Traditional IRA or Roth IRA Named beneficiary Copy of the death certificate. Beneficiary Instruction Form
Individual account, no beneficiary Executor or personal representative, or a small estate claimant Copy of the death certificate. Decedent Account Instruction Form. Copy of the court appointment of the personal representative, or a properly executed small estate affidavit
Joint account Surviving joint owner Copy of the death certificate. Decedent Account Instruction Form
Trust account Successor trustee Copy of the death certificate. Decedent Account Instruction Form. Copies of the trust's title page, signature page and the pages that name who can act after a trustee dies
Transfer on Death (TOD) account Named TOD beneficiary Copy of the death certificate. Account Instruction Form

American Century says the documents can vary with the state the person lived in and the value of the accounts (American Century). The instruction forms are not posted on its forms page. Ask for them when you call.

For a small estate affidavit, American Century tells you to contact the probate division of the court in the county where the person lived (American Century). For a California estate, see the California small estate affidavit guide.

Copy or certified death certificate?

American Century's documents use different wording. Ask the Estate Transfer team which one your case needs before you mail a packet.

Document What it says Source
Inheritance page "Copy of Death Certificate" for every account type American Century
IRA beneficiary brochure A copy of a certified death certificate or other acceptable proof of death. Other documents may be required IRA brochure
Inheritance Checklist Request enough certified copies to cover each place that needs one Inheritance Checklist

Where do you send American Century paperwork?

Account Regular mail Overnight (FedEx or UPS) Source
Individual accounts and IRAs American Century Investments, PO Box 419200, Kansas City, MO 64141 American Century Investments, 801 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 419200, Kansas City, MO 64105-1307 American Century
Brokerage accounts American Century Brokerage, PO Box 419146, Kansas City, MO 64141 Same overnight address as above American Century
Employer-sponsored plans American Century Investments, PO Box 419385, Kansas City, MO 64141 Same overnight address as above American Century
Accounts through an outside advisor American Century Investments, PO Box 419786, Kansas City, MO 64141 Same overnight address as above American Century

Use the address printed on the form American Century sends you if it differs.

Do you need a Medallion signature guarantee?

American Century's inheritance document list does not include one (American Century). Its other forms require one in some cases, so ask on the call whether your packet needs it. When American Century does require a guarantee, these rules apply:

Rule Source
The guarantee must be an original ink stamp that says "Signature Guaranteed/Medallion Guaranteed" Transfer of Ownership form
A notary stamp does not meet the requirement Transfer of Ownership form; IRA distribution form
Many banks, trust companies, credit unions, brokers and savings associations can provide it Transfer of Ownership form

For where to get one, see Medallion signature guarantees for inherited stock.

What happens to an inherited American Century IRA?

Once American Century has the documents, it moves the assets to a beneficiary account in your name and tax ID. The assets stay invested in the same funds the person who died held. You then pick a distribution option and return the instruction form (IRA brochure).

Situation What American Century's brochure says Source
Owner died on or after January 1, 2020, and you are not an Eligible Designated Beneficiary The 10-year rule is the only option. The account must be emptied by December 31 of the 10th year after the year of death. If the owner had reached their required beginning date, you also take a required minimum distribution in years 1 to 9 IRA brochure
Owner died on or after January 1, 2020, and you are an Eligible Designated Beneficiary The options in the booklet apply, and the five-year rule becomes a 10-year rule IRA brochure
Beneficiary is the owner's minor child Special rules apply. Call American Century to discuss options IRA brochure
Beneficiary is a trust Confirm the options with a tax advisor or the attorney who set up the trust IRA brochure

Eligible Designated Beneficiaries are a surviving spouse, the owner's minor child until age 21, a disabled or chronically ill person, and a person not more than 10 years younger than the owner (IRA brochure). For how the 10-year rule works year by year, see inherited IRA RMD rules in 2026, and take the timing decision to a tax professional.

What about cost basis?

For non-retirement accounts, American Century uses the date-of-death value to step up the cost basis of shares the person held. If the estate uses an alternate valuation date, tell American Century by phone or in writing. Shares bought after the date of death keep their original basis (American Century).

For other fund companies, see the T. Rowe Price, Fidelity and Vanguard guides.

The Estate Desk helps families settle estates. theestatedesk.com

Primary sources