Can a non-spouse be a life insurance beneficiary?
Asked by: Javon Kling | Last update: September 3, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (73 votes)
Can life insurance beneficiary be someone other than spouse?
Yes, you can have a life insurance policy with a non-spouse as the beneficiary. Additionally, you can change your beneficiary or beneficiaries at any time.
Can I list my girlfriend on life insurance as a beneficiary?
You can name anyone you want as a beneficiary of your FEGLI life insurance coverage.
Who cannot be a life insurance beneficiary?
Ineligible Beneficiaries: Minors: Generally, minors (individuals under the age of 18 or 21, depending on the jurisdiction) cannot be named as direct beneficiaries of a life insurance policy. In such cases, a trust or custodian may be designated to manage the proceeds until the minor reaches the age of majority.
Can you name a non spouse as beneficiary?
In most cases, the account holder can name a beneficiary, whether that's a child, another relative, or someone else other than their spouse.
Can your wife receive your life insurance benefits even though she is not the beneficiary?
Who is an eligible non-spouse beneficiary?
Eligible Designated Beneficiaries (that are not the spouse) include: Minor children of the original account holder (decedent) Those who are chronically ill. Those who are permanently disabled.
What are the rules for beneficiaries of life insurance?
Your beneficiary can be a person, a charity, a trust, or your estate. Almost any person can be named as a beneficiary, although your state of residence or the provider of your benefits may restrict who you can name as a beneficiary. Make sure you research your state's laws before naming your beneficiary.
What can override a life insurance beneficiary?
A will cannot override a beneficiary designation because the policy is a contract between the person who purchases it and the issuer. The only way anyone can override a beneficiary other than the policyholder is if a court determines there's a conflict between named beneficiaries and state laws.
Can you name a friend as a beneficiary?
Partners and spouses, family members and friends — you could make anyone the beneficiary on your life insurance policy.
Who has the power to name the beneficiary of a life insurance policy?
The policy owner can name one or more beneficiaries, and he/she can change the beneficiary at any time by updating the policy.
Does your beneficiary have to be your spouse?
If you're not married you can choose anyone to be your beneficiary. However, if you're married, or are planning to get married, please be aware that by law, your spouse is your default beneficiary, regardless of who you may have been your beneficiary before getting married.
Can you put someone on your life insurance if you re not married?
Yes, unmarried couples can generally buy any type of life insurance. However, you may need to demonstrate an insurable interest if you purchase a life insurance policy that covers your partner, such as submitting a will or proof of a joint mortgage.
What happens if the beneficiary name is wrong?
If the beneficiary name is incorrect, your transfer will not go through and the money will be returned to the original bank from where it was transferred. How long this takes depends on your sender bank.
Can a life insurance beneficiary be a girlfriend?
You can designate anyone to be the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, and doing so allows you to provide for your partner without having to jump through the hurdles that unmarried couples face.
Can I choose a beneficiary other than my spouse?
Many people choose the following beneficiaries:
A spouse or long-term partner. Adult children. Other family members or close friends. A trust - a legal entity that manages an inheritance on behalf of your heirs and pays out the money over time, which might be an option if you want minor children to receive assets.
Can you exclude spouse from life insurance?
If no children are involved, you can usually call your insurance company and ask them to remove your ex-spouse as a beneficiary. If you have children, they may be your preferred choice for beneficiaries.
Who should not be named beneficiary?
Estranged relatives or former spouses – Family relationships can be complicated, so think carefully if an estranged relative or ex-spouse really aligns with your wishes. Pets – Pets can't legally own property, so naming them directly as beneficiaries is problematic. Consider a pet trust instead.
Can a non-relative be a beneficiary?
Rather than let the state decide, people without heirs may designate a beneficiary to inherit their assets. It can be a relative, friend, or charitable organization—anyone except the attorney who drafted your will.
Is there a downside to being someone's beneficiary?
One of the main disadvantages is that an asset that could typically pass directly to persons outside of probate may now become an asset that has to be addressed through the probate process. This can create a long delay before those assets get to your loved ones.
Can I name someone other than my spouse as beneficiary on life insurance?
Basic Facts About Life Insurance Beneficiaries
A person also need not be related to the insured to be named as a beneficiary; California law allows policyholders to designate anyone they want to be a beneficiary.
What disqualifies life insurance payout?
Life insurance proceeds can be denied. Some denials are legitimate, like in case of policy lapses, material misrepresentations, or exclusions in the form of illegal activities or war. In other cases, bad-faith insurers use elaborate methods to reject claims so they do not have to pay the proceeds.
Does life insurance automatically go to a spouse?
If the insured purchased term life insurance during the marriage and dies while married, the entire policy is considered community property, giving the spouse 50% of the death benefit if income earned during the marriage was used to pay premiums. The other 50% would go to the named beneficiary.
How do you know if you're the beneficiary of someone's life insurance?
The easiest way to learn if you are a life insurance beneficiary is to talk to the policyholder if they are still alive. They can tell you whether you're a beneficiary and provide information necessary to claim the death benefit when they pass away.
Who can be denied life insurance?
They can include engaging in risky hobbies and behaviors like skydiving; having a history of DUIs or speeding tickets; having a dangerous job like roofing; having a criminal record or a less than ideal financial history; being a smoker; and failing a drug test.
How do beneficiaries receive their money?
If you are indeed designated as a beneficiary on the account, the bank will release the contents of the account to you. If you are unsure where the decedent banked, you may consider asking the decedent's family members, the executor/administrator of their estate or the trustee of their trust.