What does a trustee do, and who should I choose?
A trustee looks after a policy held in trust and, when it pays out, claims the money and passes it to the beneficiaries in line with the trust's terms. Many people choose close family members or friends they trust, and often appoint at least two trustees. You can usually be a trustee of your own policy too.
Their responsibilities
Trustees must act in the beneficiaries' best interests, keep records and follow the trust deed.
Choosing well
Pick people who are organised, reliable and likely to be available. Tell them about the policy and where the documents are.
Changing trustees
Many trusts allow trustees to be added or removed later. Ask your insurer for the right form.
This article is general information about UK protection insurance, not personalised financial advice. Policy terms vary between insurers and products, so always check your own policy documents.
Last updated 27 October 2026