Payable On Death - POD

An arrangement between a bank or credit union and a client that designates beneficiaries to receive all the client's assets. The immediate transfer of assets is triggered by the death of the client.

Also referred to as a "totten trust."

POD accounts are created by filling out the proper forms at your bank or credit union. It is a cost-free service that allows for the transfer of all checking and savings accounts, security deposits, savings bonds and other deposit certificates. A POD account is very similar to a transfer-on-death arrangement, but deals with a person's bank assets instead of their stocks, bonds, mutual funds or other assets. Both POD and TOD agreements offer quick means of asset dispersement, as both avoid the probate process, which can take several months.