Should my life insurance name my trust as beneficiary?

Sometimes, yes.

Naming a trust as beneficiary of life insurance may make sense if the policy is intended to provide money for children, beneficiaries who should not receive assets outright, blended family planning, special needs planning, or overall trust administration.

In other situations, naming individuals directly may be fine.

Life insurance beneficiary forms are powerful. They should be reviewed as part of the full estate plan, not handled as an afterthought.

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