Non-Spouse Beneficiary for Cash Balance Plan

[metsfan026]

One of my clients is of the belief that they can only designate a spouse as the beneficiary of their Cash Balance Plan.  I think I know the answer, but I just wanted to make sure.

Someone can name a non-spouse their beneficiary, correct?  The only caveat being that if they are married, they need to get spousal consent to elect someone else to be their beneficiary.

Thanks in advance!

[C. B. Zeller]

What does the plan document say? I have seen pre-approved documents with a checkbox option to limit the beneficiary to the participant's spouse. I don't know that I've ever seen that option used, but strictly speaking a DB plan isn't required to offer any forms of benefit other than what's required under the QJSA rules, and QJSA means spouse.

[CuseFan]

Statutorily it is permitted but as CBZ notes you need to see what the plan document says.