Your 401(k) doesn’t just disappear when you die. Here’s how it’s transferred, who gets it, the tax impact, and why beneficiary updates matter more than you think.

When you think of estate planning, most people think about getting their wills and trusts in order. But for many investors, their IRA or 401(k) beneficiary designation form will control the ...

Benefit administrators, 401(k) vendors, recordkeepers and benefits professionals regularly recommend that participants in qualified retirement plans periodically review and update their beneficiary ...

Are banks legally required to give account holders written statements of their beneficiaries upon request? I want to make it easier for my heirs, but I'm having trouble getting this information in ...

Home Retirement Estate Planning Don't Disinherit Your Grandchildren: The Hidden Risks of Retirement Account Beneficiary Forms Standard retirement account beneficiary forms may not be flexible enough ...

Check that new beneficiary forms are in place for all new Roth accounts created. Ed Slott, a certified public accountant, created the IRA Leadership Program and Ed Slott's Elite IRA Advisor Group to ...

Before you dash off your spouse's name, or put Junior's Social Security number on the dotted line, make sure you're not making any of these mistakes. Naming beneficiaries should be the easiest task ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bob Carlson researches all facets of retirement finances. A beneficiary check up is an important part of your regular financial ...

It's easy to assume your will has the final say over who inherits your money, but that's not always true. Just one bank account beneficiary form can quietly override written estate plans and redirect ...