Here at Ethos, we aim to make life insurance simple––and that includes choosing the beneficiary on your policy. A beneficiary is a person, people, or entity who will receive your death benefit if you die within the term of your life insurance policy. As the policy owner, you can choose who to designate as your beneficiary (or beneficiaries).

Your decision may be a bit complicated if you have many family members or others who depend on you financially. Choosing your beneficiary is a decision that requires careful thought and consideration. It should not be treated as just another box to check off in the application process. Let’s explore the process behind choosing your beneficiary.

If You’re…

Married With Children

Naming your spouse as your primary beneficiary is the most common choice. If both you and your spouse name each other as primary beneficiaries, then the benefits would be readily available for your surviving spouse and children to use. You may name contingent beneficiaries on your life insurance policy, such as designated guardians for the kiddos, should both you and your spouse pass away.

Married Without Children

Again, naming your spouse as your primary beneficiary is the most common choice. Doing this ensures that your spouse will not suffer financial hardship in the event of your passing. A contingent beneficiary (should your spouse also pass) could be a parent, sibling, or close friend. Other options may include a charity that you support.

Note: If you prefer not to name your spouse as your beneficiary, they still may have a claim to a portion of the benefits if you live in a community property state. These states include Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Consult with your tax advisor or financial planner for details.

A Single Parent

If you are considering naming your child as your primary beneficiary, keep in mind that life insurance companies cannot legally disburse the money to minors. This means that the funds will be transferred to the child’s legal custodian, according to the Uniform Transfer to Minors Act. It’s a good idea to name a custodian at the same time that the child is designated as a beneficiary on your life insurance policy. If you would prefer not to appoint a legal custodian for your child, you can opt to name a trust as your beneficiary. The policy proceeds will be payable to the trust, where the trust will manage the funds accordingly. For more information regarding trusts, consult with a professional with experience in trust drafting.

Single Without Children

Don’t have kids or a spouse? There might still be someone in your life who would experience financial hardship in the event of your passing. If so, you could consider naming them as your primary beneficiary. Did a parent, grandparent, or other family member cosign on your mortgage or student loans? Naming them as your beneficiary could enable them to shoulder the financial burden of the agreement if you unexpectedly pass away while your life insurance policy is in force.

Other Important Factors to Consider

You are not limited to choosing just one beneficiary. In the event that you name multiple beneficiaries on your policy, each primary beneficiary would receive a portion of your life insurance payout that you designate. You can also name contingent beneficiaries. These individuals will receive your death benefit if your primary beneficiary is no longer around to accept it. Depending on the administrative systems used to support your policy, you can name as many primary beneficiaries and as many contingent beneficiaries as you want to ensure that all of your bases are covered.

Regardless of who you choose as your beneficiary, it is essential to inform them in advance. Don’t leave them among the millions of Americans with unclaimed life insurance benefits. Talking about death isn’t fun, but having the conversation ensures that you are both on the same page. Use the discussion as an opportunity to gather the information you need from them, such as their current address, social security number, and date of birth. Their information will ensure that the carrier can easily identify them when they file a claim or locate them if a claim has not been made following your death.

Have a question about choosing your beneficiary that we did not cover? Add our guide to how life insurance works to your reading list.

FAQs

Is your spouse automatically your beneficiary on life insurance?

By default, your spouse is not automatically your beneficiary on life insurance. You must designate your spouse as the beneficiary if you wish for them to receive the proceeds.

What if your beneficiary is not your spouse?

If your beneficiary is not your spouse, your life insurance policy proceeds will go to the designated individual or entity upon your passing. If you live in a community property state, you may wish to consult with an estate planner for guidance on how to ensure that your death benefit goes to your intended beneficiaries.

Can I choose a beneficiary other than my spouse?

Yes, you can choose a beneficiary other than your spouse. This allows you to allocate the proceeds to a person, organization, or trust according to your wishes.

Can I remove my spouse as beneficiary?

You can remove your spouse as a beneficiary by updating your life insurance policy's beneficiary designation. This typically involves submitting a form to your insurance provider indicating the change.

Can I make my husband my beneficiary?

Yes, you can designate your husband as your beneficiary. You can select any individual or entity from whom you wish to receive the proceeds of your life insurance policy.

Can beneficiary be deleted?

Beneficiaries can be removed or changed by submitting a beneficiary change form to your insurance provider. This allows you to update your policy to reflect your current wishes regarding who should receive the proceeds upon your passing.