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.The 2012 ERISA Advisory Council studied current challenges and best practices concerning beneficiary designations in retirement and life insurance plans. The TRS retirement plan is a defined benefit plan. You must name a primary beneficiary and at least one contingent beneficiary (to whom assets will pass if the primary beneficiary has died). This month we provide some best practices for plan administrators' handling of 401(k) plan beneficiary designations. These forms are available for download in PDF format. 1 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI OXFORD DIVISION LISA DODSON JONES PLAINTIFF v.