IRA participant designated as his beneficiary “trust”

He is now deceased. As a custodian, how should we proceed since the ‘trust’ was not identified?

It could be any trust

My uncle in Oregon legally changed his name to "Trust" to help you solve your problems.

[just a final 2001 light hearted post]

Funny John,

Made me smile.

The possibility that the deceased had more than one trust must be considered-further; he could have meant a trust that is not his. Designating ‘trust’ as the beneficiary is tantamount to saying ‘child’.

If he has attached a trust document to the designation form, then you can safely assume he meant the attached trust document. Alternatively, review any trust document provided by trustee/s to determine if it refers the IRA.
Finally, have the trustee/s of the trust who submit a claim to the assets provide you with a written confirmation that the trust they represent is the one and only trust established by the beneficiary, that the designation will not be challenged, and have them indemnify you.