Eligible designated beneficiary Spouse or minor child of the deceased account holder. Disabled or chronically ill individual. Individual who is not more than 10 years younger than the IRA owner or plan participant.
Generally, an ERISA plan participant can select just about anyone to be their beneficiary. Typically, a plan participant selects their spouse, children, or other family members.
Choose people you want to provide for (and review regularly). A spouse, child, niece, or caretaker—designate the ones you love most or who would benefit from your help. Then revisit your decision when a big life change happens, such as divorce, remarriage, birth, or death.
It's generally a bad idea to name more than one beneficiary, for two reasons. First, if you name your spouse and someone else as beneficiaries, your spouse loses the special benefits and flexibility they would otherwise have. Second, it complicates things.
Immediate family as beneficiaries Anyone who will suffer financially by your loss is likely your first choice for a beneficiary.
The Spouse Is the Automatic Beneficiary for Married People A federal law, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), governs most pensions and retirement accounts.
When you became a member of the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS), you may have designated one or more beneficiaries. A beneficiary is a person, often a relative or loved one, whom you have chosen to be eligible to receive a benefit upon your death.
Eligible designated beneficiaries include: Spouses. Children under 18 years of age. Individuals with a disability. Chronically ill individuals. Individuals within 10 years of age of the deceased.
A lot of people name a close relative—like a spouse, brother or sister, or child—as a beneficiary. You can also choose a more distant relative or a friend. If you want to designate a friend as your beneficiary, be sure to check with your insurance company or directly with your state.
Choose people you want to provide for (and review regularly). A spouse, child, niece, or caretaker—designate the ones you love most or who would benefit from your help. Then revisit your decision when a big life change happens, such as divorce, remarriage, birth, or death.