What Happens to Your 401(k) Plans Account When You Die
Quick Facts
Deadline
None — protected
Difficulty
Moderate
Key Info
Beneficiary overrides will
Step-by-Step Guide
Document your 401(k) provider
Note your employer, plan administrator (Fidelity, Vanguard, etc.), and account number.
Estimated time: 5 min
Update your beneficiary
Log in to your 401(k) provider and verify the beneficiary. Spouses have automatic rights under ERISA.
Warning: If married, your spouse is the default beneficiary by federal law unless they sign a waiver.
Estimated time: 10 min
Beneficiary contacts HR
Your beneficiary should contact your employer HR and the plan administrator with a Death Certificate.
Document Now Checklist
- Employer name
- Plan administrator
- Account number
- Current beneficiary
- Approximate balance
Save this to your vault
When you document your accounts in Passed Plan, your family gets a personalized action plan — with only the guides that apply to them, in the right order, with your notes attached.
Start your vault — free for 30 daysLast verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with 401(k) Plans. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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Cash App
If you hold Bitcoin in Cash App, document this separately — crypto recovery requires additional steps.
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