You can add a beneficiary to most Chase accounts online, by phone, or in person at a branch
A beneficiary is a person you name to receive the money in your account if you die. Chase lets you add beneficiaries to checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts through their website, mobile app, or by calling their customer service line. The process takes a few minutes and costs nothing.
The beneficiary you name does not automatically own the account while you are alive—you keep full control. After your death, the money passes to that person outside of probate, which means it reaches them faster than money left through a will. Chase calls this a "payable on death" or POD account.
You can name one beneficiary or multiple beneficiaries and decide how much of the account each person receives. You can also change or remove a beneficiary at any time.
Key Takeaways
- You can add a beneficiary online through Chase.com, through the Chase mobile app, or by calling 1-800-935-9935 to speak with a representative.
- Chase requires the beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number or tax ID before you can complete the designation.
- If you name multiple beneficiaries, you can split the account equally or assign a specific percentage to each person.
- The beneficiary designation takes effect immediately after you confirm it, but the beneficiary receives the money only after you die and Chase is notified of your death.
How to add a beneficiary online through Chase.com
Log into your Chase account at Chase.com and go to the account you want to add a beneficiary to. Look for a menu option labeled "Account Services," "Settings," or "Manage Account"—the exact label varies by account type. Select the option to add or manage beneficiaries.
Chase will ask you to enter the beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number or individual tax identification number. If you are naming multiple beneficiaries, you will specify what percentage of the account each person receives. The percentages must add up to 100 percent.
Review the information you entered, then confirm. Chase will send you a confirmation email with the details of the beneficiary designation. Keep this email for your records.
How to add a beneficiary through the Chase mobile app
Open the Chase mobile app and select the account you want to add a beneficiary to. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and look for "Account Services" or "Settings." Select the option to add or manage beneficiaries.
Enter the beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number or tax ID. If you are naming more than one beneficiary, enter the percentage of the account each person will receive. Confirm the information and complete the process.
The app will show a confirmation screen. You can also check your email for a confirmation message from Chase.
How to add a beneficiary by phone or at a Chase branch
Call Chase customer service at 1-800-935-9935 and tell the representative you want to add a beneficiary to your account. Have the beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number or tax ID ready. The representative will walk you through the process and confirm the designation over the phone.
You can also visit a Chase branch in person. Bring your ID and the beneficiary's information. A banker will help you complete the designation and provide you with a written confirmation.
What information you need before you start
Gather the following details about each beneficiary before you begin:
- Full legal name (as it appears on their birth certificate or government ID)
- Date of birth
- Social Security number or individual tax identification number
- Mailing address (some Chase locations may request this)
If you do not have the beneficiary's Social Security number, you can ask them for it or contact them to obtain it. Chase will not let you complete the designation without this information.
What happens if you name multiple beneficiaries
You can name as many beneficiaries as you want on a single account. When you add more than one, you must decide how the money will be divided. You can split it equally (for example, 50 percent to each of two people) or assign different percentages to different people.
The percentages you assign must total 100 percent. If you name three beneficiaries and want to give one person half the account and the other two people a quarter each, you would enter 50 percent, 25 percent, and 25 percent.
After you die, each beneficiary receives their designated share. If one beneficiary dies before you do, their share goes to the remaining beneficiaries according to the percentages you set, unless you update the designation.
How to change or remove a beneficiary
You can change a beneficiary designation at any time while you are alive. Log into Chase.com or the mobile app, go to the account, and select the option to manage beneficiaries. You can update the beneficiary's information, change the percentages, add a new beneficiary, or remove someone entirely.
If you remove all beneficiaries, the account will no longer be a payable on death account. The money in the account will become part of your estate and pass according to your will or state law.
Chase will send you a confirmation email each time you make a change. Keep these confirmations in a safe place with your other financial records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I name my minor child as a beneficiary?
Yes, you can name a minor as a beneficiary. However, the money cannot be released to them until they reach the age of majority in your state (usually 18 or 21). You may want to name a guardian or trustee as the beneficiary instead, or set up a trust to manage the money for your child.
What if my beneficiary dies before I do?
If you name only one beneficiary and that person dies before you, the account will not automatically pass to anyone else. The money becomes part of your estate. You should update your beneficiary designation as soon as possible after a beneficiary's death.
Does naming a beneficiary override my will?
Yes. A payable on death designation passes money directly to the beneficiary you name, outside of your will. If your will says something different, the beneficiary designation takes priority for that account.
Can a beneficiary access my account while I am still alive?
No. Naming someone as a beneficiary does not give them any access to your account or your money during your lifetime. You keep complete control of the account and the money in it.
What does Chase need to know when I die?
Your family or estate representative should contact Chase and provide a copy of your death certificate. Chase will then release the money to the beneficiary you named. The exact process and timeline vary, so ask Chase what documents they need when you call.