It’s easy to forget whom we’ve named as beneficiary of life insurance policies, especially when it’s been years since we took out the policy.  Who is named on your policies?   Be sure that it’s the person or persons you want to provide for if you die unexpectedly.  If no one is named, the proceeds will likely go into your estate and be distributed through the probate process.  This result may or may not be what you wanted.

The same is true for retirement benefits.  Check your plans and accounts to ensure that your beneficiaries are who you want them to be.

Unfortunately, there are many sources of retirement income that are structured to provide benefits based on federally-recognized marriages.  That is, no benefits are available to surviving unmarried partners or persons other than a federally-recognized spouse.  In these cases, life insurance or an annuity may be the best way to replace the safety net that retirement, survivor or accidental death benefits provide.