Making sure your beneficiaries are up to date is a simple but essential exercise. Take care of this when you are alive and healthy. The best way to have your wishes carried out after you pass on is to have your beneficiary information set up correctly. This can also save your loved ones headaches and potential arguments that can arise. Below is a crash course on beneficiaries…
What is a beneficiary?
A beneficiary is a person or entity that stands to receive the proceeds from a financial vehicle after an owner passes.
Do all accounts require beneficiaries?
All retirement accounts (IRAs, 401Ks) must have beneficiaries listed when the account gets opened. Some annuities and life insurance policies do not require beneficiaries, but adding them is wise. Non-retirement accounts are opened without naming a beneficiary but adding one is smart… More on this in a minute.
What are the common types of beneficiaries?
Primary Beneficiary: First in line to receive your assets
Contingent Beneficiary: Second in line. They will receive your assets if your primary beneficiary is deceased, refuses to inherit the assets, or can’t be located
How do beneficiaries on non-retirement accounts work?
You can add a Transfer On Death (TOD) beneficiary to any non-retirement account. A TOD beneficiary is very similar to a primary beneficiary on a retirement account.
*Most people do not have a TOD beneficiary named on their non-retirement accounts. By adding one, you can help your family avoid the probate process. It’s wise to add this!
How many beneficiaries can I have?
There is no hard rule on how many you can list. Some companies or policies will limit the amount that you can add. In general, you can have several of each type of beneficiary.
How do the assets get split up after I die?
When naming your beneficiaries, you have to specify what percentage of your assets each beneficiary will receive. The total number has to equal 100%. For example, if you have four kids, you can name them all as primary beneficiaries, each receiving 25% of your assets. However, you can split up the 100% in anyway that you see fit.
What happens if a beneficiary dies before the account owner?
When naming beneficiaries, you should take it one step further and choose one of these two options:
- Per stirpes distribution method: If one of your primary beneficiaries passes away before you, their descendants will receive their portion of your assets. For
example, if you have three children as primary beneficiaries and one passes away before you, your grandchildren can receive your deceased child’s portion. - Per capita distribution method: This states that all primary beneficiaries must be living to receive a portion of the proceeds. For example, You have two children as primary beneficiaries, who will each receive 50% of the assets once you pass on. If one of your primary beneficiaries passes away before you, then one child will receive 100% of your proceeds.
Do I have to name a beneficiary on each of my accounts?
Yes, beneficiary designations are specific to each account. You can have the same beneficiary designations and percentages on every account, but it needs to be documented. You can have a different setup on each of your accounts as well.
What information do I need when adding a beneficiary?
Typically, a company will require a beneficiaries full legal name, relationship to you, date of birth, and social security number. Some companies will require more info such as an address and phone number, email address, etc.
What matters more… My Beneficiary designations or my will?
Your listed beneficiaries will supersede your will.
Can I change my beneficiaries at any time?
Yes, you can change your beneficiaries via a simple form anytime you like. You can also change the percentage your beneficiaries will receive as long as it always totals 100%.
*If you do not have a percent listed for a beneficiary, then all beneficiaries will receive an equal split.
Who can I name as a beneficiary?
Any living person, trust, or charity can be named. You can elect to name a minor child as a beneficiary as well. However, if they are a minor at the time of death, they will not initially receive control of their share of the assets. A custodian must manage their funds until they are of legal age. Trusts that benefit a minor are often used instead of naming a minor child as a beneficiary.
How do beneficiaries and the probate process work?
By naming beneficiaries, your accounts will skip the probate process. This will allow your heirs to inherit your money quickly and with fewer expenses.
Take some time and figure out who your beneficiaries should be for each of your accounts… Make sure you have the correct paperwork on file… Update it when necessary… Do this now, so your family doesn’t have to worry about it later.