As you probably already know, there are multiple steps to purchasing a life insurance policy. After obtaining quotes and selecting the policy and coverage that’s right for your family, you’ll be asked to answer some medical questions and possibly undergo a medical exam. During the application process, you’ll also be required to select a beneficiary for your new policy. While this is typically pretty straightforward, there are several potential financial, tax-related, and legal issues that could emerge if your beneficiaries aren’t named properly.

To avoid these potential complications, it’s important that you carefully consider who your beneficiary should be. If this is a decision you’re struggling with, the following advice should help clear up any questions.

But first, let’s start with the basics.

Beneficiary Basics

First, it’s important to know that there are two basic types of life insurance beneficiaries.

1. Primary beneficiary: A primary beneficiary is the first person(s) to receive the death benefit should the insured die. If the primary beneficiary dies before the insured, the policy will automatically defer to the contingent beneficiary.
2. Contingent beneficiary: Also known as the secondary beneficiary, the contingent beneficiary is eligible for the death benefit if the primary dies before the named insured.

To avoid any complications and ensure the death benefit payout process goes smoothly, it’s recommended that you select both a primary and contingent beneficiary when setting up your policy.

In addition to the two types of beneficiaries, there are two classes to consider as well.

1. Revocable beneficiaries: With a revocable beneficiary, the policy owner has the right to modify the beneficiary designation without the preceding beneficiary’s consent.
2. Irrevocable beneficiaries: Under this class, the policy owner cannot modify the beneficiary designation without written consent by the original beneficiary.

Due to the potential legal complications that could arise from opting for an irrevocable beneficiary, the most straightforward option is revocable.

Now that you have a better understanding of the types of beneficiaries, how do you choose? You can name any of the following:

• People: This could be a family member, legal guardian, or even a business partner.
• Estate: If you choose your estate as the beneficiary, the death benefit will go to the Executor of the estate. It’s important to note that your estate can only be named if you’ve drawn up a last will and testament. If this is the path you’re considering, take a moment to discuss any tax implications with your agent, financial advisor, or accountant.
  Trusts: If you have a trust already set up, naming your trust is an option.
• Charity: Charities can be named as either the primary or contingent beneficiary.

Many policy owners have more than one beneficiary they would like named on their policy. There are two approaches you can take in this situation: per stirpes or per capita.

Per stirpes: Under this option, the death benefit would be divided equally among the named beneficiaries and/or their surviving children. For example: You designate your two daughters, Allison and Nicole, as beneficiaries of the policy. Allison dies before you, and you pass away next. Nicole would receive 50% of the proceeds and Allison’s surviving children would receive equal amounts of the remaining 50%.
Per capita: Under the per capita option, the death benefit would be equally divided amongst all the surviving beneficiaries in the lineage line. For example: Using the above scenario, assume Allison had three children and Nicole had none, when you passed away. The proceeds would be divided equally between Allison’s three children and Nicole. Each beneficiary would receive one-fourth of the insurance death benefit.

The Dos and Don’ts of Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation

The following are a few tips to keep in mind regarding your policy’s beneficiary.

• DO consider who has the most to lose financially when naming your beneficiaries.
• DO name both a primary and secondary beneficiary.
• DO designate proceeds to be paid out in percentages rather than a fixed dollar amount.
• DO make sure your will and designations aren’t conflicting.
• DO notify anyone who has been named as a beneficiary.
• DO consider the language of your policy to ensure your wishes are properly carried out.
• DO review your policy every few years.
• DO make necessary amendments to your policy when a major life event occurs. For example: marriage, divorce, birth, or death.
• DO discuss any tax ramifications with an agent or advisor before listing your estate as the beneficiary.
• DON’T make generalizations, such as “spouse” or “children.” Doing so could lead to complications during pay-out time and leave your grieving family to define your intentions. Be specific.
• DON’T name a creditor as a policy beneficiary.
• DON’T name minors unless a guardian has been designated for them.
• DON’T complicate things. If you have a separate named insured, owner, and beneficiary, this could result in higher tax payout.

If you’re at the beneficiary consideration stage of the process, you’ve made a great deal of important financial decisions to ensure your family is protected. It would be a shame if your intentions weren’t carried out, simply because you overlooked an important detail. Or for your family to be embroiled in a legal or tax battle that could have been avoided. Discuss your options with an experienced agent before signing on the dotted line; and don’t forget to review your policy every few years.