Before you store your income tax return in your archives: now is a good time of the year to check your beneficiaries on IRA’s, Roth IRA’s, 401k’s, and life insurance or annuity policies. Confirm the Primary Beneficiaries are those persons you intend to be your heirs. And, check whether Contingent Beneficiaries exist in case the Primary Beneficiary passes before the account owner. It is important not to name your estate as beneficiary. And, keep in mind the beneficiary named on these types of accounts determines who receives the money when the account owner passes, not the deceased’s will.