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Home→Tools→Beneficiary Checker→Wisconsin

Are Beneficiary Designations Protected in Wisconsin?

Check how divorce, creditors, and state laws affect your life insurance, retirement accounts, and other beneficiary designations.

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West Dakota: $999,999 (99.9%)East Montana: $888,888 (88.8%)

This tool provides general information about state beneficiary designation laws. It does not constitute legal advice. ERISA-governed plans are subject to federal law which may differ from state law. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.Data verified 2026-01-21

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Protect your beneficiaries

Frequently Asked Questions

Wisconsin automatically revokes beneficiary designations to an ex-spouse upon divorce for most asset types including life insurance and retirement accounts. This is codified at Wis. Stat. § 854.15. ERISA-governed employer plans (like 401(k)s) are subject to federal law and require manual updates.

Yes. Wisconsin is a community property state, and spousal consent is typically required to name a non-spouse beneficiary on retirement_accounts funded with community property. ERISA plans also require spousal consent under federal law.

Partially. Wisconsin provides some creditor protection for inherited IRAs, but with limitations. See Wis. Stat. § 815.18.

No. Per stirpes is not the default in Wisconsin. If a beneficiary dies before you without a named contingent beneficiary, the proceeds typically go to your estate and through probate. Explicit per stirpes designation or contingent beneficiaries are needed.

How Do Beneficiary Designations Work in Wisconsin?

Beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement accounts, and payable-on-death accounts determine who receives these assets when you die. These designations override your will, making it critical to keep them updated.

Wisconsin is one of the states that automatically revokes beneficiary designations to an ex-spouse upon divorce. This applies to: life insurance, retirement accounts, pod accounts, tod accounts, annuities. However, ERISA-governed employer plans (401k, pension) are subject to federal law and must be updated manually.

As a community property state, Wisconsin generally requires spousal consent to name a non-spouse beneficiary on retirement accounts funded with community property. This protects a spouse's interest in marital assets.

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