Quote from gnome:
Neither have I. There is such a thing as POD.. Pay On Death to someone else, like a spouse or partner... and only on certain types of accounts.. like a checking or savings account... but "beneficiary" is not the same.
The only place I recall seeing "beneficiary" is on qualified retirement plans, life insurance, and trusts.
Read one post above yours.
It's called TRANSFER ON DEATH (TOD).
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http://www.sec.gov/answers/todreg.htm
Transfer on Death (TOD) Registration
Transfer on death (TOD) registration allows you to pass the securities you own directly to another person or entity (your "TOD beneficiary") upon your death without having to go through probate. By setting up your account or having your securities registered this way, the executor or administrator of your estate will not have to take any action to ensure that your securities transfer to whomever you have designated. However, TOD beneficiaries must take steps to re-register the securities in their names. This typically involves sending a copy of the death certificate and an application for re-registration to the transfer agent.
State law, rather than federal law, governs the way securities may be registered in the names of their owners. Most states have adopted the Uniform TOD Security Registration Act, although some have modified it. In addition, brokerage firms may decide whether or not to offer TOD registration.
For more information about TOD registration, please visit the website of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. There youâll find a summary of the Act, explaining how TOD registration differs from joint ownership. Youâll also find a list of the states that have adopted the Act and the full text of the Act.
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It's amazing how much wrong information this is in this thread.
Either...
1) You do not have nearly enough assets to even make this worthwhile or
2) You have not taken the time to educate yourself in estate planning (which again, requires assets).

yeah, they have their policy. But other brokers are worse. welcome to my world