Then, after you die, your beneficiaries present a death certificate to the financial institution and fill out a form. The check arrives in a few weeks. There's no probate, no court involvement ...

The problem is “later” is usually too late, because most people never review their beneficiary forms. The SECURE Act has eliminated the “stretch” IRA for most beneficiaries and replaced it ...

Many assets pass by beneficiary designation — which is the ability to fill out a form with the financial company holding the asset and name who will inherit the asset upon your death.

Select the check boxes at the top of the form indicating the insurance programs for which you wish to change beneficiaries. If you have the same beneficiaries for more than one insurance program, you ...

such as the beneficiary designation form and the plan's terms and conditions. “When the primary 401(k) holder passes away, the beneficiary should contact the plan administrator to begin ...

which is why it's so important for advisors to help clients review their beneficiary forms and ensure that their desired beneficiaries are actually listed as such on the IRA beneficiary form.