A 401(k) can be one of the largest assets in an estate, but its treatment after death is governed by specific rules. Beneficiary designations determine who receives the account, while federal ...

Key Points ・Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, and bank accounts are legally binding contracts ...

A spouse beneficiary is the person who will inherit a 401(k) account if the account holder passes away. The rules for spouse beneficiaries determine how the account assets are distributed, which can ...

Workplace retirement plans like 401(k)s are among the most powerful tools for building long-term wealth, yet they are also among the easiest to overlook during major life changes. According to a 2025 ...

Beneficiary decisions are a crucial yet often overlooked step when planning for retirement. Simply having a will does not mean your estate plan is fully covered. If you die without a will or your will ...

If you die without naming a beneficiary for your 401(k) account, the rules for your retirement plan will likely require that funds in the account be considered part of your estate and have to go ...

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 401(k). Forgetting to update ...

Understanding 401(k) non-spouse beneficiary rules is key for anyone planning their estate and retirement. When a non-spouse inherits a 401(k), the distribution options differ significantly from those ...

For retirement savers, adding a beneficiary to your 401(k) plan should be a top priority. A 401(k) plan beneficiary is the person or entity, such as a charity or trust, who inherits your 401(k) after ...

Updating beneficiaries as you prepare your annual tax return is a natural way to get two important jobs done at the same time ...

Harry S. Margolis is a MarketWatch contributor. He practices elder law, estate and special needs planning, is a fellow of Freewill.com and the founder of ElderLawAnswers.com. He is author of The Baby ...

Jonathan Ponciano is a financial journalist with nearly a decade of experience covering markets, technology, and entrepreneurship. Your 401(k) passes to the person you name on your beneficiary ...