Do you know what would happen to your retirement savings if you were to pass away? Here are some things you should know about naming beneficiaries that could save your loved ones’ time, money, and frustration.
48% of people don’t have a named beneficiary.1 Generally, your retirement account will automatically go to your spouse if you are married. If you plan on leaving money with your children or another person, your spouse would need to sign off on the change. If you are single, your savings becomes a part of your estate. This means the courts will decide how your estate is distributed. Keep in mind that this process can be long and expensive for your grieving loved one.
Primary, Contingent, and Charities can be chosen as beneficiaries.
While a will can be an excellent estate-planning tool, this doesn’t cover your retirement assets. Naming your beneficiary designations in your retirement plan would help your loved ones avoid more paperwork and stress.
You should review your beneficiary designations when you have life changes, like marriage, divorce, children, or death, in the family. We suggest reviewing your beneficiary designation annually.
If you designate a minor/child, nominate a custodian to manage the money with you/your beneficiary’s interest.
To designate your beneficiary online, sign in to your 401(k) account on your provider’s website. Locate the beneficiary section and add or update your beneficiary. If you are married and opt not to designate your spouse, additional signatures may be required.
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