You can add a beneficiary to most Chase accounts through the online banking portal in about five minutes

Log into your Chase account at chase.com, go to the account settings or profile section, and look for "Beneficiaries" or "Transfer on Death" (TOD). Chase lets you name a beneficiary for checking, savings, and money market accounts without visiting a branch. The person you name will inherit that account's balance if you die, and the money passes to them outside of probate — meaning it moves faster and without court involvement.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you're adding a TOD beneficiary (which bypasses probate) or a payable-on-death (POD) beneficiary (which is similar but older terminology). Chase primarily uses TOD for most account types. You'll need the beneficiary's full legal name and Social Security number or tax ID to complete the form.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase lets you add a beneficiary online through your account settings without scheduling a branch visit or paying a fee.
  • You need your beneficiary's full legal name and Social Security number or tax ID to complete the form.
  • Money left to a TOD beneficiary passes directly to them and does not go through probate, which speeds up the process.
  • You can name multiple beneficiaries and specify what percentage each person receives, or change or remove a beneficiary at any time.
  • Adding a beneficiary does not affect your account during your lifetime — you retain full control and access to all funds.

Step-by-step: Adding a beneficiary through Chase online banking

Start by logging into your Chase account at chase.com using your username and password. Once you're logged in, look for "Settings" or "Profile" — this is usually in the top right corner of the page or in a menu labeled with your name. Click into that section.

Find the option labeled "Beneficiaries," "Transfer on Death," or "TOD." The exact wording varies depending on your account type and when your account was opened, but it will be in the account management area. Click on it to open the beneficiary form.

Enter your beneficiary's full legal name exactly as it appears on their Social Security card or government ID. Then enter their Social Security number or tax ID. You can also add their date of birth if Chase requests it. If you want to name more than one beneficiary, you can specify what percentage of the account each person receives — for example, 50% to one person and 50% to another, or 100% to one person.

Review the information you've entered to make sure everything is correct, then submit the form. Chase will send you a confirmation email. The beneficiary designation typically takes effect immediately, though some account types may require one to two business days to process.

What information you need before you start

Gather your beneficiary's full legal name as it appears on their birth certificate, passport, or driver's license. This must match exactly — if their legal name is "Michael James Rodriguez" but you enter "Mike Rodriguez," Chase may reject the form or create confusion later.

You will also need their Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If your beneficiary is a minor or does not have an SSN yet, you may be able to use their date of birth instead, but call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 to confirm what they accept before you start the form.

If you want to name multiple beneficiaries, decide in advance what percentage each person should receive. For example, you might leave 60% to a spouse and 40% to a child. Chase requires these percentages to add up to 100%. You can change these percentages or remove beneficiaries later, so you do not have to get this perfect on the first try.

Differences between TOD and POD beneficiaries at Chase

Transfer on Death (TOD) is Chase's current standard. When you name a TOD beneficiary, that person inherits the account balance directly when you die. The money does not become part of your estate and does not go through probate court. This means your beneficiary can access the funds faster — usually within a few weeks — and without legal fees or court delays.

Payable on Death (POD) is older terminology for the same concept. If your account was opened many years ago, you might see POD instead of TOD. The function is identical: the named person receives the account balance outside of probate. Chase has largely moved to TOD language, but both accomplish the same goal.

The key difference between either of these and simply naming someone in your will is timing and cost. A will goes through probate, which can take months or years and involves court fees and attorney fees. A TOD or POD beneficiary receives the money directly and much faster. You can have both — a will that covers other assets and a TOD beneficiary on your Chase account.

What happens if you name multiple beneficiaries

Chase allows you to name more than one beneficiary on a single account. When you do, you specify what percentage each person receives. If you name three people and give each 33%, they will each receive one-third of the account balance when you die. If you name two people and give one 70% and the other 30%, those are the amounts they will inherit.

If one of your named beneficiaries dies before you do, that person's share typically goes to the remaining beneficiaries in proportion to their percentages — not to that person's heirs. For example, if you name your spouse for 60% and your child for 40%, and your spouse dies first, your child receives 100% of the account. To change this, you would need to update the beneficiary form after your spouse's death.

You can change the percentages or remove a beneficiary entirely at any time by logging back into your account and editing the beneficiary form. There is no fee to make changes, and the new designation takes effect once Chase processes it.

How to change or remove a beneficiary

Log into your Chase account and return to the beneficiary section where you added the original beneficiary. Look for an "Edit" or "Modify" button next to the beneficiary's name. Click it to open the form again.

You can change the beneficiary's name, update their percentage, or remove them entirely by deleting their information and submitting the form. If you want to remove all beneficiaries from an account, you can do that too — the account will then pass through your estate and be handled according to your will or state law.

Chase will send you a confirmation email once the change is processed. Keep that email for your records. If you are removing a beneficiary because that person has died or because your relationship has changed, make this update as soon as possible to avoid confusion later.

What does not happen when you add a beneficiary

Adding a beneficiary does not change who can access your account right now. You keep full control of all the money in the account during your lifetime. Your beneficiary cannot withdraw funds, see your balance, or make deposits unless you give them permission separately — for example, by adding them as an authorized user or joint account holder.

A TOD beneficiary designation is separate from joint ownership. If you want someone to have access to your account while you are alive, you would need to add them as a joint owner or authorized user through a different process. A beneficiary only inherits the account after you die.

Adding a beneficiary also does not affect your taxes or your beneficiary's taxes during your lifetime. When your beneficiary inherits the account after you die, they may owe taxes on any interest or earnings that accumulated after your death, but that is handled separately and depends on the amount and your beneficiary's tax situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a beneficiary if my account is a joint account?

Yes, you can add a TOD beneficiary to a joint account. When you die, your share of the account goes to the beneficiary you named. Your joint account holder's share passes according to their own beneficiary designation or their will. If they have not named a beneficiary, their share may go through probate.

What if I want to change my beneficiary after I get married or divorced?

Log back into your Chase account, go to the beneficiary section, and click "Edit." You can remove the old beneficiary and add a new one, or change the percentages. Make this change as soon as possible after a major life event so your account reflects your current wishes.

Does my beneficiary need to do anything to inherit the account?

Your beneficiary will need to contact Chase and provide a death certificate after you die. Chase will verify the beneficiary's identity and transfer the account balance to them. The exact process varies, but Chase will guide your beneficiary through the steps when they call.

Can I name a charity or trust as a beneficiary?

Chase typically requires a beneficiary to be a person with a Social Security number. If you want to leave money to a charity or a trust, you would do that through your will instead. Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 to ask about exceptions or alternatives for your specific situation.

What if I die without naming a beneficiary?

The account becomes part of your estate and is distributed according to your will or, if you do not have a will, according to your state's laws. This process goes through probate court, which takes longer and costs more than a direct transfer to a named beneficiary.