Naming a beneficiary seems like a "set it and forget it" task, but a lot can change between the time you open an account and the time your heirs need to access it. From the complications of leaving money to minors to the importance of naming a backup, a few simple designations can make or break an estate plan.
By reviewing your forms annually and understanding how these choices interact with your broader financial goals, you can provide your family with clarity and peace of mind during a difficult time.
And don't worry if you miss an answer; you can use the links below the quiz to brush up on appointing beneficiaries and estate planning.
More on Estate Planning, from the Kiplinger retirement team:
- Choose a Beneficiary for Your Estate Plan: It's Not 'Duck, Duck, Goose'
- Wills Gone Wild: How to Avoid Estate Planning Disasters
- 15 Estate Planning Terms You Need to Know
- Estate Planning for Millionaires
- Six Reasons to Disinherit Someone and How to Do It
- Revocable vs Irrevocable Trusts: It Comes Down to Control vs Protection
- Estate Planning Checklist: 13 Smart Moves
