Payable-on-Death Account POD A Payable-on-Death (POD) Account is a financial account, such as a bank account or a certificate of deposit, that allows the account holder to designate a specific beneficiary who will receive the funds in the account upon the account holder's death. This designation operates outside of the probate process, making it a straightforward way to transfer assets to a chosen beneficiary without the need for a will or going through the probate court.