Retirement Accounts in an Estate Plan
Retirement Assets and Estate Planning
IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement accounts can be an important part of an estate plan because they often pass according to beneficiary designations rather than the terms of a will.
Consider the Legal Plan as a Whole
An estate-planning attorney can help you understand how retirement accounts relate to your will, trust, and intended beneficiaries. Your estate-planning documents and beneficiary choices should reflect the same family goals.
Information to Gather
- A list of retirement accounts and the institutions that hold them
- Current beneficiary-designation information available from each plan
- Your existing will, trust, and related estate-planning documents
- The people or organizations you intend to benefit
Important: Estate Planning America provides legal estate-planning guidance. The firm does not select investments, provide investment or financial-planning advice, provide tax advice, or complete beneficiary-designation or asset-coordination work. Clients should consult their plan administrator, financial adviser, or tax professional for those services.
Discuss Retirement Assets as Part of Your Estate Plan
We can explain the legal estate-planning considerations involving retirement accounts and your intended beneficiaries.