When someone passes away there are countless things that need to be done to finalise their estate which can feel overwhelming and confusing. To finalise your loved one's membership with People's Choice, there are some steps you can take.
What you need to do
Step 1. Notify us
Contact us as soon as you are able; you can either:
- Call our National Contact Centre support team on 13 11 82 or +61 8 7078 4200 if you are calling from overseas
Our support team are available from:
8:00am - 8:00pm Monday to Friday (ACST)
8:30am - 4:30pm Saturday (ACST) - Speak to one of our team at the nearest People’s Choice branch
- Email BereavementCareTeam@peopleschoice.com.au
- Visit the Government’s Australian Death Notification Service to notify us along with other participating organisations at the same time
Step 2. Provide the information and documents we require to begin assisting you
When someone passes away, documents are required before we can release account and membership information.
We can only share information about the deceased’s account(s) and membership with specific people, so we will need to check the documents you provide to us to determine who we can provide information to and what further steps need to be taken.
If the deceased left a valid Will
If the deceased left a Will, we need the original or certified copies of the following documents:
- Death Certificate
- The Will
The executor(s) named in the Will will also need to provide their People’s Choice membership number or, if they don’t have a membership with People’s Choice, we require their contact details and proof of identity e.g. driver’s licence.
If the deceased did not leave a valid Will
If the deceased did not leave a Will, then a family member will need to act as the administrator of the estate. In some circumstances, the administrator will need to be appointed by the Supreme Court in the state or territory where the estate is held, under ‘Letters of Administration’. In other circumstances, you may be able to act as an administrator without Letters of Administration for the purposes of closing the deceased’s accounts and People’s Choice membership.
The administrator will need to provide us with original or certified copies of the following documents:
- Death Certificate
- A signed and witnessed Statutory Declaration made by the administrator stating:
- Their relationship to our deceased member
- That to the best of their knowledge the deceased did not have a valid Will
- That they are administering the deceased member’s estate.
- The administrator will also need to provide their People’s Choice membership number or if they don’t have a membership with People’s Choice, we require their contact details and proof of identity e.g. driver’s licence.
Step 3. What is required to close the accounts
Once we have received the initial documents, our Bereavement Care team will write to the executor or administrator to advise of the ‘closure requirements’ to finalise the deceased’s membership.
Step 4. When you’re ready, return the documents we have requested
Complete and return to us all the documentation we requested as outlined in the ‘closure requirements’ letter to the executor/administrator.
If you have questions about the process or require additional information about the requirements, our Bereavement Care team are here to help you. If a solicitor or accountant is assisting you, you can also seek their guidance.
Step 5. All accounts and facilities are finalised
Once we have received all the required documents about the deceased and a particular person’s authority to deal with the estate, we will close the accounts and membership. The remaining funds will be released as per the instructions provided by the authorised executor/administrator.
Other information
Cards
All People's Choice cards held by the deceased member will be cancelled. Please destroy the cards by cutting in half, diagonally across the chip if there is one.Sole loans, credit cards or overdrafts
Interest accruals continue until the estate is settled. If you are the executor or administrator, please contact us to discuss payment options.Joint loans, credit cards or overdrafts
If the deceased held a loan, credit card or overdraft jointly with another person, that person will continue to have access to their joint facilities and are responsible for making payments. If you have any questions about your joint loans, credit cards or overdrafts, please call our National Contact Centre on 13 11 82 or visit your People's Choice branch to discuss available options.Insurance
It is important to find out if the deceased had any insurance policies (for example, home and contents insurance, health insurance, car insurance, life insurance). Insurance providers must be notified so any plans can be transferred or cancelled as needed and new arrangements for premium payments can be made if required.
Important note: If the deceased held insurance policies with our CGU insurance partner, CGU requires that documentation is provided to them to verify that the executor/administrator has the authority to act in order to be able to amend or cancel the policy.Transfer Orders/Direct Debits
All Transfer Orders and Direct Debits will be cancelled except for:
-
• Transfers to any People's Choice credit card/overdraft or loan in the deceased's sole name
• Existing transfers to bonus interest savings accounts in the deceased’s sole nameSole Term Deposit Accounts
Interest will continue to accrue on Term Deposit accounts until the membership is finalised. Any early withdrawal fees will be waived, and interest accrued up until account closure will be paid.Joint Term Deposit Accounts, Joint Savings Accounts and Joint Transaction Accounts
Joint accounts can be changed to be held solely by the surviving member upon request and after we have received a certified copy of the Death Certificate.Pensions
If you are the executor or administrator of the estate you will need to notify the relevant pension paying authorities (Australian and/or International) of the death of the member.
Frequently asked questions
Can funds be released to pay for the funeral?
Do I still have access to my joint account with the deceased member?
What happens if I am a joint account holder and I'm experiencing financial pressures?
I hold a Power of Attorney or Signatory authority on the deceased member's accounts - can I still access the accounts?
Can further funds be paid into a deceased member's account?
What is an estate trust account?
What is a 'Grant of Probate', and 'Letters of Administration', and when is each required?
Notify other people and organisations
Other organisations that can help
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB)
ACGB is an independent, not for profit organisation that has been providing support for the bereaved and grieving for over 22 years.Birth, Deaths and Marriages registry
This registry is run by your state or territory government and issues death certificates.Australian Taxation Office
The ATO will outline the tax responsibilities associated with deceased estates. If you're the executor of administrator of a deceased estate, you may need to lodge a final tax return on behalf of the deceased person.Centrelink
Centrelink is an organisation provided by the Federal Government and may be able to provide payments, support and other services to help you when someone close to you dies.
Your state or territory’s Law Society