It’s tempting to reach for the trash can or the shredder with a stack of old retirement account documents, but you and your heirs could be in for trouble. The beneficiary form you fill out when you ...

Stepchildren might not have the same legal standing as biological children if beneficiary forms don't make that clear. In a recent case, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a plan ...

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 ...

Making sure affairs are in order and checking in from time to time is key when it comes to protecting loved ones. Ensuring your beneficiary information is updated is one way to help your loved ones ...

A federal appeals court just handed benefits administrators the backup they need when employees try to bypass proper ...

A 401(k) can be one of the largest assets in an estate, but its treatment after death is governed by specific rules.

An employer’s retirement plan documents did not incorporate beneficiary designation forms in its language or appendices, so the forms did not govern the award of benefits, a court ruled. A federal ...

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 ...

The way your pension is passed on to your loved ones is set for a shake-up. Here is what you need to know about who inherits ...