Last verified 2026-08-18; facts checked against the primary sources below
Empower retirement account after death
Last verified: August 18, 2026
The short answer: Submit Empower's death-notification form by mail or fax, then call Beneficiary Support Services at 866-442-3888, weekdays 7 AM–5 PM MT. Have the death certificate, the participant's Social Security number, and any relevant trust or estate documents ready. Empower confirms the beneficiary and explains the options for that plan.
Empower beneficiary process at a glance
| Step | Published action |
|---|---|
| Notify | Send the notification form |
| Secure | Empower limits account access after learning of the death |
| Prepare | Death certificate, decedent SSN, and trust/estate documents |
| Contact | 866-442-3888 |
| Claim | Confirmed beneficiary reviews plan-specific choices |
How do you notify Empower?
Use the addresses or fax on Empower's Beneficiary Claim Process. A death certificate is the core official notice. Empower's administrator guide notes that a certificate marked “pending investigation” may not be accepted until updated.
Once notified, Empower may restrict access to protect the assets. Do not use the participant's credentials or attempt a distribution from the old account.
Who receives the account?
The plan's beneficiary designation and default hierarchy control. Employer plans can also have spousal-consent rules. Empower's published process may create a beneficiary “takeover account” before the beneficiary elects a distribution or transfer.
What should a beneficiary review?
Ask for the plan document rules, beneficiary determination, inherited-account option, rollover eligibility, required distribution deadline, tax withholding, investment allocation, fees, and forms. Match signature and notary dates exactly where the packet requires notarization.
The employer plan controls. Empower's general process does not replace the participant's plan document or tax advice.