Key Takeaways Your 401(k) passes to the person you name on a beneficiary form—not through your will.Spouses and non-spouses face different rules and tax implications when inheriting a ...

IRAs have become a core part of the retirement system in the United States with over $18 trillion in assets not as of 2025. While retirement accounts are there for retirement, they can also become ...

A beneficiary is a person or entity that you name to receive the proceeds of your financial assets when you die. A beneficiary can be a spouse, child, relative, friend, charity, trust or any other ...

You might not be able to spend all the money in your 401(k) plan before you die. If that happens, your retirement savings will pass to the person you name as the beneficiary of the account. The ...

A good estate plan covers most of what you need for legacy planning, but far too many retirees turn a blind eye to how the plan provides for retirement assets. And here's the kicker - your estate plan ...

When it comes to estate planning, a will or a trust often receives the most attention. However, the simple act of naming a beneficiary to inherit assets in your 401(k), IRA, or savings account, or the ...

Stepchildren might not have the same legal standing as biological children if beneficiary forms don't make that clear. In a recent case, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a plan ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Christine Fletcher writes about managing trusts and estates. This article is more than 6 years old. Beneficiary designations are a ...

One of the biggest myths and misconceptions of estate planning is that a will controls the disposition of all one’s assets at death. This is not the case. Failing to distinguish the difference between ...

The end of the calendar year often brings family into focus as we look to spend time with loved ones for the holidays. Though it may not feel like the best time to contemplate one’s demise, the season ...

You can play a personal role in advancing liberty, fairness, and equality by providing now for a future gift through your retirement account. For many people, this is the easiest and most effective ...