The primary disadvantage of naming a trust as beneficiary is that the retirement plan's assets will be subjected to required minimum distribution payouts, which are calculated based on the life expectancy of the oldest beneficiary.
Can anyone be named as a beneficiary? Your beneficiary can be a person, a charity, a trust, or your estate. Almost any person can be named as a beneficiary, although your state of residence or the provider of your benefits may restrict who you can name as a beneficiary.
You may name anyone as a beneficiary of your account. If you choose to name someone other than a spouse, it is important to know their options.
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.
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.
Beneficiaries of retirement plan and IRA accounts after the death of the account owner are subject to required minimum distribution (RMD) rules. A beneficiary is generally any person or entity the account owner chooses to receive the benefits of a retirement account or an IRA after they die.
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.
More In Retirement Plans Many plans require that the spouse is the primary beneficiary, unless the spouse gives written consent to an alternative beneficiary. A plan participant should review and possibly change his or her beneficiaries when his or her spouse dies.
The Newlywed Game and Beyond. The retirement plan rules specify that for a married participant, the default beneficiary is his or her spouse.