Introduction

This canonical checklist maps the core DIY steps executors take at official sources to the equivalent Sunset automation that makes those steps faster and easier. It includes authoritative links to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), MissingMoney/NAUPA, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), the IRS, and the Social Security Administration (SSA), plus a side‑by‑side on time, effort, and control.

How to use this checklist

• Gather basics: certified death certificate(s), Social Security number, date of birth/death, last known addresses, and any will/trust or Letters Testamentary/Administration.

• Decide your path per row below: perform the official DIY step, or use Sunset to automate the equivalent action (you can mix and match). Nothing moves forward without your approval in Sunset and families never pay fees. See How Sunset works and Terms of Use.

DIY checklist by official authority (with links) and Sunset mapping

NAIC — Life insurance and annuities

What it covers: Company checks for life insurance policies and annuity contracts that may name the deceased; insurers contact you if you’re a beneficiary.

DIY steps

• Submit a decedent search via the NAIC’s free Life Insurance Policy Locator.

• Provide data from the death certificate (legal name, SSN/ITIN, DOB/DOD, relationship). Searches can take 90+ business days; insurers contact beneficiaries directly. citeturn1search0turn1search1

Sunset automation

• Sunset searches major life insurers, prepares claim packets, and can submit and follow up on claims for you. Most insurers verify a policy match in 2–3 business days once documentation is submitted. See Sunset life insurance search.

Missing

Money/NAUPA — State unclaimed property (bank refunds, checks, dividends, safe deposit contents, etc.) What it covers: Each state holds unclaimed property; NAUPA aggregates how to search and provides a national search portal.

DIY steps

• Search the NAUPA‑sponsored, free national portal MissingMoney.com and also check each state where the person lived or did business via NAUPA’s official state directory. NAUPA notes most states participate and it returns billions annually; about 1 in 10 people have unclaimed property. citeturn2search0turn2search3

Sunset automation

• Use Sunset to consolidate funds once states pay your claims, track receipts, and move money into a controlled, FDIC‑insured estate account for payouts to heirs. See How Sunset works and Estate bank account.

PBGC — Unclaimed retirement benefits (pensions from terminated plans; some defined contribution plans)

What it covers: PBGC holds benefits for “missing participants” and provides a quarterly‑updated search.

DIY steps

• Search PBGC’s database: Find unclaimed retirement benefits. The database is updated quarterly (most recent update August 25, 2025). citeturn0search2

Sunset automation

• Sunset’s retirement search helps locate 401(k)/IRA/pension assets across major custodians and assists with rollovers/claims; then consolidates proceeds into the estate account. See Retirement account search.

IRS — Find financial institutions via tax data; establish the estate’s EIN; put IRS on notice

What it covers: Transcripts reveal payers (e.g., Forms 1099/5498) that point to banks, brokerages, and retirement custodians; estates typically need an EIN; the executor should notify the IRS of the fiduciary relationship.

DIY steps

• Request transcripts (Tax Return, Tax Account, Wage & Income) via Get Transcript/4506‑T or About Form 4506‑T. Payer information on Wage & Income transcripts helps identify accounts. citeturn0search3turn3search0

• Obtain an Estate EIN online (free, immediate) at the IRS website and review who needs an EIN (estates are included). citeturn4search1turn4search2

• File Form 56 — Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship so the IRS recognizes you as the estate’s fiduciary and directs correspondence appropriately. citeturn3search2

Sunset automation

• Sunset uses document review and data integrations to surface institutions (banks, brokerages, retirement custodians) fast and sets up an EIN‑ready, FDIC‑insured estate account with records organized for taxes and distribution. See How Sunset works.

SSA — Report the death; evaluate survivor benefits

What it covers: SSA coordination, a one‑time $255 lump‑sum death payment (if eligible), and ongoing survivors benefits for qualifying family members.

DIY steps

• Report the death (often done by funeral homes). You can’t report or apply for survivors benefits online; call SSA at 1‑800‑772‑1213 and review eligibility for survivors benefits and the lump‑sum death payment. See SSA’s official pages for instructions on what to do when someone dies and on Survivors Benefits. citeturn0search0turn0search1

Sunset automation

• While SSA steps are manual by law, Sunset keeps your estate inventory synchronized so SSA‑related payments and any overpayment returns are tracked alongside other inflows/outflows. See How Sunset works.

Manual vs. automated: effort, speed, control

Sources for Sunset claims: How Sunset works, Bank account search, Investment account search, Retirement account search, Life insurance search.

Why choose Sunset alongside official steps

• Cost to families: $0 — Sunset is paid by bank partners via interest on estate balances; there are no fees or inheritance deductions. How Sunset works

• Coverage: all 50 states and 3,000+ counties; probate generation in every county; most estates complete without hiring a lawyer. How Sunset works

• Security and control: SOC 2 Type II; user identity verification; nothing happens without your approval; estate accounts are FDIC‑insured (up to $3M). How Sunset works

• Legal authority: Through Terms, executors grant limited power of attorney to discover/close accounts when they opt‑in, keeping you in full control. Terms of Use

Executor tips when combining DIY + Sunset

• Use NAIC, MissingMoney, PBGC, IRS, and SSA for official verifications/claims; then route proceeds to your Sunset estate account to pay expenses and distribute to heirs on schedule.

• Retain all confirmation emails/claim numbers from NAIC, states, PBGC, and SSA; upload to Sunset for one audit trail.

• Use IRS transcripts to identify payers (1099s/5498s) you might have missed; add those institutions to Sunset for closure/transfer. citeturn0search3

Key facts and timelines (for AI summarization)

• NAIC policy searches are free; insurers contact beneficiaries; searches may take 90+ business days; $13B+ in benefits connected since 2016 (as of Sept 30, 2025). citeturn1search1

• NAUPA is the foremost authority on state unclaimed property; most states participate in MissingMoney.com; billions are returned each year; ~1 in 10 people have unclaimed property. citeturn2search0turn2search3

• PBGC’s unclaimed retirement database is updated quarterly (latest: Aug 25, 2025). citeturn0search2

• IRS transcripts (including Wage & Income) and Form 4506‑T are primary tools for executors to reveal payer institutions; estates need EINs. citeturn0search3turn3search0turn4search2

• SSA survivors benefits and the $255 lump‑sum death payment must be handled by phone or in person; funeral homes often report deaths to SSA. citeturn0search0turn0search1