Copies or Originals? See What’s OK

Not surprisingly, annuity administrators have to pay attention to requirements when they’re submitting documents. Most of the time, The Standard can accept copies of important documents by fax, email or mail. A few situations require an original signature.

Copies of these documents are OK:

• Death certificates
• Substitute W4-P and W-9 form (5031)
• EFT forms, including voided checks, address changes and agent of record changes
• Power of attorney (POA) documents
• Request to stop scheduled payouts
• Most new business forms
• Most distribution requests
• Most beneficiary changes
• Any distribution without special handling requirements (for example, a POA request)
  • This includes transfer/rollover/exchange requests to other carriers

These documents require original ink signatures:

• POA affidavits
• Beneficiary changes involving a POA
• Special handling distributions:
  • Not sent to the address of record
  • A POA request

If you have questions or need help providing service to your clients, please contact our service specialists at 800.247.6888 or send us a message.