Estate planning at ShareBuilder 401k

For ERISA-covered plans (Traditional, Safe Harbor, and Roth 401(k) plans for businesses with employees), a married participant's spouse is automatically the primary beneficiary. To name a non-spouse or a trust as primary beneficiary, the spouse must provide written, notarized consent. Solo 401(k) plans covering only the owner with no common-law employees may not be subject to ERISA, in which case the plan document governs; check your plan documents or call (800) 431-7934 x4 to confirm.

Yes. A surviving spouse who is the named beneficiary of a ShareBuilder 401k account may roll the inherited balance to their own IRA or treat the 401(k) as their own. This preserves the ability to defer required minimum distributions until the surviving spouse's own RMD age. Contact Plan Participant Support at (800) 431-7934 x4 for the distribution rollover paperwork and to provide the receiving IRA account information.

Ascensus, LLC and Ascensus Trust Company serve as third-party administrator and recordkeeper for ShareBuilder 401k plans. Participant accounts are accessed through the Ascensus portal at myaccount.ascensus.com/sharebuilder401k. ShareBuilder Advisors, LLC is the SEC-registered investment advisor and ERISA 3(38) investment manager. Brokerage services are provided through Mid-Atlantic Clearing & Settlement Corporation and NewEdge Securities, Inc. Knowing the recordkeeper is useful when coordinating estate administration, as the executor or successor trustee may need to contact Ascensus directly to access account information.