How To Name Life Insurance Beneficiaries
The Beneficiaries named in your Life Insurance policy are the people who will receive the payout when you die. Choose wisely.

Who Can Be A Life Insurance Beneficiary?
- A person or a group of people, such as a family member or multiple family members
- A Trust you’ve established
- A charity or nonprofit organization
- Your estate
Be aware that the state you live in or the particular policy you're considering may have restrictions on who can be named as a beneficiary. If you have any question about who you can name as a beneficiary in your state, it's best to consult a local licensed insurance agent.
Contingent Beneficiaries
When naming beneficiaries, it's important to name a contingent beneficiary (secondary beneficiary), in case the primary beneficiary is not alive at the time you die. If the primary beneficiary is alive at the time you die, the contingent beneficiary doen't receive any benefits. However, if the primary beneficiary has died, the contingent beneficiary will receive the benefits of the policy.
Reviewing Beneficiary Designations
It’s a good idea to review who you've chosen as beneficiaries every few years, as well as after major life events (births, deaths, marriage, divorce, etc.), in case you want to make changes. By reviewing your beneficiary designations you can make sure the people you named are still the ones you'd like to receive any insurance payouts.
To learn about how to personalize your Life Insurance policy, see our article Insurance Riders.
- All The Information You Need To Share About...It’s incredibly sad to think of our pets without us, but here’s your chance...Read more
- Estate Planning For Your PetsAmerica is approaching a belly rub crisis. Or, in the case of cats, that...Read more
- What To Say To Someone Grieving The Loss Of A PetFor most people, it’s not just a dog, cat, or other domesticated animal....Read more
- Planuary: Organizing For The New YearIf the turn of a new year inspires you to finally get your life in order, we...Read more