You will complete a new beneficiary form and the survivor benefits will be paid in accordance with what retirement option you elect. Our ERISA attorneys at the Peace Law Firm describe some issues involving ERISA plans and beneficiaries.Contact us for help today. , the person Who was the spouse. The Summary Plan Description (SPD) should include your plan's claims procedures. Usually, you fill out the required paperwork and submit it to the plan. If the spouse has NOT waived her rights under this plan, then she is the beneficiary REGARDLESS of what a beneficiary designation says. For more information about qualifying life events, refer to our publication Changing Your Beneficiary or Monthly Benefit After Retirement (PUB 98). An essential – and often overlooked – aspect of estate planning is making beneficiary designations and keeping them up to date after life changes. Look up nonprofits and identify prospects with Candid's GuideStar.