Beneficiary inventory
Track every account that has a beneficiary designation. These pass OUTSIDE your will and need to match.
401(k), IRA, life insurance, bank/brokerage TOD/POD, and pension beneficiaries pass DIRECTLY to the named beneficiary regardless of what your will says. If your will leaves everything to your spouse but your IRA beneficiary is your ex-spouse, your ex gets it. Most people have outdated beneficiaries. This inventory finds them.
Fill out the worksheet
| Institution | Account # | Type | Primary beneficiary | Backup beneficiary | Last reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan / company | Survivor option chosen | Beneficiary | Last reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier | Policy # | Death benefit | Primary beneficiary | Backup | Last reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank | Account # | Type | TOD/POD beneficiary | Last reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broker | Account # | TOD beneficiary | Last reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSA custodian | Account # | Beneficiary | Last reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Account # | Beneficiary student | Successor owner |
|---|---|---|---|
- ·Review beneficiaries every 3-5 years AND after every major life event (marriage, divorce, birth, death).
- ·Foreign-spouse caveat: spousal estate exclusion is reduced if your spouse isn't a US citizen.
- ·Per stirpes vs. per capita matters when a primary beneficiary predeceases you. Specify each.
- ·Some states have automatic-revocation rules for ex-spouses. Some don't. Verify.
SmartSeniorX is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This worksheet is an educational organizer to help you gather your information BEFORE meeting with a licensed attorney in your state. Worksheets are NOT legal documents. To create a valid will, power of attorney, or healthcare directive, work with a licensed attorney in your state. State-specific signing, witness, and notarization requirements apply.