Credit unions treat a member's death differently from a bank, and usually more generously. Here is what to ask about.
Ring or write to the credit union the person belonged to, with their name, date of birth, date of death and address, and bring or send the death certificate. Ask them four questions: is there a nomination, is there a death benefit, were the savings insured, and was there a loan. Each is explained below.
A member can nominate a person to receive their credit union savings on death. A valid nomination is paid directly to that person, outside the will and without probate, up to a limit set by law (currently €27,000). Anything above the limit goes to the estate. A nomination is a form kept by the credit union, so ask whether one exists; the member may never have mentioned it.
If there is no nomination, the credit union can usually pay a small balance to the next of kin without probate, again up to the statutory limit, on completion of their own form and an indemnity. Larger balances wait for the Grant of Probate.
Many credit unions hold Death Benefit Insurance for their members at no charge to the member: a fixed sum, commonly somewhere between €1,000 and €3,250 depending on the credit union, paid on the death of a member who had joined before a certain age and kept a minimum balance. It is paid to the nominee, the next of kin or whoever paid the funeral, and it is paid quickly. Not every credit union has it, and the conditions differ, so ask.
Most credit unions also carry Life Savings Insurance: on the member's death, the credit union pays an insured sum in proportion to the savings the member held, up to a limit, with the proportion depending on the member's age when the savings were lodged (savings made before 55 are typically matched in full, with less cover for savings made later, and none after 70). For a member who saved steadily from a young age this can double what is in the account. There is no cost to the member and no claim form beyond the death certificate; ask the credit union to confirm the figure.
Credit union loans are normally covered by Loan Protection Insurance at no cost to the member, so that an outstanding loan is cleared on death rather than falling on the family or the estate, subject to the age limits and conditions in the policy. Do not keep paying the loan without first asking whether it is covered. Any guarantor should ask the same question.
Joint accounts continue in the surviving holder's name. A member's shares and deposits that are not nominated and are above the small-balance limit are released to the executor on production of the Grant of Probate. Dividends or interest up to the date of death belong to the estate.
Its letter to the credit union asks all four questions, asks for the balance at the date of death, and, with the family's agreement, asks the credit union to pay the funeral director's invoice from the account or the death benefit. Garda members' credit unions are covered too: St. Paul's Garda Credit Union, St. Raphael's Garda Credit Union.
A credit union can offer LegacySteps to a member’s family under its own name, so these questions are asked in every case. LegacySteps for credit unions.
Written and checked on 3 November 2026 against the published rules of the organisations named. Rules, rates and forms change, so check with the organisation before relying on any figure. LegacySteps is independent: it is not the HSE, the Department of Social Protection, a bank, an insurer or a credit union, and nothing here is legal, tax or financial advice.