The Beneficiary Audit Kit

Here is the fact that shocks most people: the beneficiary form you signed years ago — on a piece of paper you barely remember — overrides anything your will says.

If your will names your current spouse, but your 401(k) form from 1997 still lists your ex-spouse, your ex-spouse receives the 401(k). The will does not matter.

74% of retirement account holders have not reviewed their beneficiary designations in five or more years. A third of those discover material errors when finally prompted to check — a deceased beneficiary still listed, an ex-spouse who should have been removed, percentages that don't total 100%.

This kit walks you through a complete audit in one sitting, with phone scripts for every major custodian.

WHAT'S INSIDE — 24 PAGES:

- Why beneficiary forms override wills (and the list of accounts this applies to)

- Primary vs contingent beneficiary rules

- Per stirpes vs per capita — the critical distinction

- What happens if you name "my estate" (catastrophic)

- What happens if you name a minor child directly (nightmare)

- The SECURE Act 10-year rule explained

- Spousal rollover rights

- Full 8-red-flag chapter — the most common errors

- Comprehensive fill-in audit form covering every account type:

 — 401(k), 403(b), 457, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, pension, SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA

 — Every type of life insurance and annuity

 — TOD brokerage, POD bank, HSA, 529 plans

- Step-by-step update instructions for Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab

- Phone numbers and form codes for Prudential, MetLife, New York Life, State Farm, Northwestern Mutual, AIG

- Special situations chapter covering blended families (QTIP trusts), special needs beneficiaries, spendthrift trusts, non-citizen spouses (QDOTs), charitable beneficiaries

- Four ready-to-use phone call scripts

- Annual re-audit template

- Printable one-page summary your family will find in the drawer when they need it

THREE REAL CASE STUDIES:

- Harold (ex-wife from 1990s inherited $400,000 from a never-updated 401(k))

- Patricia (12-year-old son put in probate court for 6 years, $200K eaten in legal fees)

- David & Joan (the "my estate" checkbox cost the family $192,000)

WHO IT'S FOR:

- Anyone who has been married and divorced at any point

- Anyone whose beneficiary designations are older than 5 years

- Widows and widowers who need to update their own forms now that their spouse is gone

- Parents of minor children planning for inheritance

- Anyone with significant retirement accounts they plan to pass on

FORMAT: PDF, 24 pages, instant download. Readable on any device.

All content is educational reference material and is explicitly not personalized financial, legal, or tax advice.

Written by Rabbi Mizrahi.