Retirement topics - Getting married and/or having children

 

After getting married or having children (including adopted and stepchildren), a participant should immediately review, and possibly update, his or her retirement plan beneficiaries. Generally, the retirement plan can only pay benefits to a participant's named beneficiaries upon his or her death.

Most plans require a married participant to obtain his or her spouse's written consent to change beneficiaries and/or the form in which the plan will pay out benefits.

To change beneficiaries, the participant should:

  • contact his or her employer or plan administrator to request change of beneficiary forms;
  • complete those forms in accordance with their instructions, including obtaining his or her spouse's signature, if applicable; and
  • submit the completed and signed forms to the employer or plan administrator.

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