Have a TruStage life insurance policy?

TruStage (formerly CUNA Mutual) offers term and whole life often marketed through credit unions. Buyers sometimes want help understanding guaranteed-acceptance and term options.

Life Insurance Help Now is an independent brokerage. We are not TruStage — and that's the point: when you want a straight answer about a TruStage policy (term life, whole life, and guaranteed-acceptance), an agent with no stake in keeping you in the policy can tell you what it's actually worth, what it costs to keep, and what your options are.

Common reasons people call about a TruStage policy

• Billing and payments — a missed draft after changing banks, an unfamiliar charge, confirming premiums are still being paid on an older policy, or updating the card or account on file.
• Beneficiary changes — adding a spouse or child, removing an ex-spouse, naming a contingent beneficiary, or fixing a beneficiary that was never recorded correctly.
• Finding a lost policy — a parent or grandparent mentioned a TruStage policy years ago and you need to confirm whether it still exists and what it's worth.
• Claims and death benefits — filing a claim after a loved one passes, checking the status of a claim, or tracking down paperwork a funeral home needs.
• Cash value and policy loans — finding out how much cash value has built up, borrowing against it, or getting a statement of value for Medicaid or other benefit applications.
• Premium increases — a term policy hitting the end of its level period, or an older universal life policy that suddenly needs bigger payments to stay in force.
• Canceling or replacing coverage — deciding whether to drop a policy that's gotten expensive, or replace it with coverage that fits better.

Before you call: what to have ready

1. The policy number, if you have it (statements, the original policy booklet, or bank records showing the premium draft all help).
2. The insured person's full legal name and date of birth.
3. If you're calling about a claim: a certified death certificate and your own ID as beneficiary.
4. A recent statement or premium notice, if the question is about billing or value.

Don't worry if you have none of these — policies can usually be located with the insured's name, date of birth, and Social Security number.

Thinking about canceling a TruStage policy? Read this first

Canceling is permanent: coverage ends, and if your health has changed since you bought the policy, replacing it later can cost far more or be impossible. Before you cancel, it's worth ten minutes to check the alternatives:

• Reduced paid-up coverage — many permanent policies let you stop paying premiums entirely and keep a smaller death benefit for life.
• Policy loans or withdrawals — if money is the issue, cash value can sometimes cover premiums or free up funds without ending the coverage.
• Adjusting the face amount — lowering the coverage amount lowers the premium while keeping the policy in force.
• A tax-free exchange — cash value can often be moved into a policy or annuity that fits better, without triggering taxes, via a 1035 exchange.

An independent agent can run these numbers for your specific policy at no cost, so the decision is made with the facts in front of you.

How a free independent review works

1. Call (866) 284-3261. A licensed agent picks up — no phone tree maze.
2. Walk through the policy together. What it covers, what it costs, what the cash value is doing, and whether the beneficiaries are right.
3. Get your options in plain English. Keep it as-is, adjust it, or look at alternatives. No cost, no obligation, no pressure.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find out if a TruStage life insurance policy is still active?

Gather whatever you have — a policy number, old statements, or bank records showing premium drafts — and have the insured person's full name and date of birth ready. TruStage can confirm an in-force policy for an owner or beneficiary, and an independent licensed agent can walk you through the lookup process and what to ask for, at no cost.

How do I change the beneficiary on a TruStage policy?

Beneficiary changes are made through a change-of-beneficiary form filed with the carrier — never just a note in your will. You'll need the policy number and the new beneficiary's legal name, date of birth, and relationship. A licensed agent can help you complete the form correctly so the change is actually recorded.

Can I cash out or borrow against my TruStage life insurance policy?

If your policy is a permanent type with cash value, you may be able to take a policy loan, a partial withdrawal, or surrender it entirely — each has different costs and tax consequences, and a loan that isn't repaid reduces the death benefit. Before surrendering, get an independent review: there are often options that preserve some coverage.

Why did my TruStage premium go up, and what can I do?

Term policies typically jump sharply when the level-premium period ends, and some universal life policies require higher payments in later years to stay in force. Options can include converting, reducing the face amount, or replacing the policy — the right move depends on your age, health, and how long you've had the coverage.

How does a beneficiary file a death claim on a TruStage policy?

A beneficiary files a claim form with a certified death certificate. If you can't find the policy paperwork, a claim can still be made — carriers can search by the insured's name and Social Security number. A licensed agent can help you through the paperwork at no charge.

Should I cancel my TruStage life insurance policy?

Usually not before looking at alternatives. Canceling forfeits coverage you may not be able to re-qualify for, and permanent policies may have cash value or a reduced paid-up option that keeps some benefit with no further premiums. A free independent review lays out what you'd be giving up before you decide.

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