Person at a laptop reviewing a retirement account beneficiary form, Hudson Valley

Estate Planning·6 min read·June 11, 2026

Why Your 401k Beneficiary Form Beats Your Will

You can have a perfect will and still send your 401k to the wrong person. The beneficiary form on your retirement accounts and life insurance overrides your will, and the one from a job you left years ago is still in charge. Here is why that happens and the afternoon audit that fixes it.

Peter Guggisberg

Financial Advisor · Hudson Valley, NY

Written by Peter Guggisberg, Financial Services Representative with Vermont Financial Group of NY (a MassMutual general agency) and the advisor behind Noah's Ark Financial.

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Peter Guggisberg, financial advisor, Hudson Valley NY

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