Should my 401(k) name my trust as beneficiary?

It depends.

For married clients, a spouse is often the primary beneficiary of a 401(k). A trust may be named as the contingent beneficiary, especially if the goal is to coordinate with the estate plan after both spouses are gone.

Because 401(k)s and other retirement accounts are tax-sensitive, beneficiary designations should be reviewed carefully before changes are made.

The form may look simple. The consequences are not always simple.

*Reviewed by Estate Planning Attorney Casey Connealy, Partner at Gaughan & Connealy Estate Planning Attorneys on June 23, 2026.