Generally, an ERISA plan participant can select just about anyone to be their beneficiary. Typically, a plan participant selects their spouse, children, or other family members.
Choose people you want to provide for (and review regularly). A spouse, child, niece, or caretaker—designate the ones you love most or who would benefit from your help. Then revisit your decision when a big life change happens, such as divorce, remarriage, birth, or death.
An eligible designated beneficiary (EDB) must be an individual, and not a nonperson entity such as a trust, an estate, or a charity (which would be not designated beneficiaries).
In general, ERISA does not cover plans established or maintained by governmental entities, churches for their employees, or plans which are maintained solely to comply with applicable workers compensation, unemployment or disability laws.
For life insurance policies, retirement accounts (i.e., 401ks/403bs, IRAs, etc.), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and trusts, the beneficiary you name inherits the account assets, generally regardless of what your will states. For checking or savings accounts, or CDs, you may name a payable on death (POD) beneficiary.
The Spouse Is the Automatic Beneficiary for Married People A federal law, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), governs most pensions and retirement accounts.
All ASRS members who have not yet retired have a Survivor Benefit as part of their ASRS benefits. If the member dies prior to becoming eligible for a retirement benefit, the beneficiary will receive a survivor benefit that is two times the member's account balance, plus accumulated interest.
Submit a Written Request You can send a formal letter or email to the plan administrator requesting specific documents. To ensure clarity, include the following details in your request: Your name and contact information; Your employee ID number (if applicable);
How to Locate a 401(k) From a Previous Job Contact previous employers. It may seem obvious, but one of the quickest ways to track down an old 401(k) plan is to go directly to the source. Review past W-2 tax forms. Check your mail. Search the National Registry. Search Form 5500 Directory. State unclaimed property.