Your primary beneficiary is first in line to receive your death benefit. If the primary beneficiary dies before you, a secondary or contingent beneficiary is the next in line. Some people also designate a final beneficiary in the event the primary and secondary beneficiaries die before they do.

A designated beneficiary is named on a life insurance policy or financial account as the recipient of those assets in the event of the account holder's death. A designated beneficiary is a living person. Non-person entities are not considered to be designated beneficiaries, even if named on a retirement account.

Your original designation remains in force whether it still reflects your wishes or not, until you submit another form to cancel prior designations or to designate a new beneficiary. A designation of beneficiary form outlines your desire to have the funds due upon your death paid out in a particular way.

Life insurance beneficiaries can be individuals, such as a spouse or adult child, or entities, such as a trust. For example, if you have minor children, you may choose to establish a trust and name it as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy.

Write the names of the first beneficiary(ies) you would like to receive your benefit after you die. You may name an individual(s), entity (such as a charity, business, religious organization, funeral home, etc.), trust, or estate. You may name more than one.

Most beneficiary designations will require you to provide a person's full legal name and their relationship to you (spouse, child, mother, etc.). Some beneficiary designations also include information like mailing address, email, phone number, date of birth and Social Security number.