{"id":41158,"date":"2026-09-01T14:12:50","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T18:12:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/?p=41158"},"modified":"2026-09-01T15:33:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T19:33:41","slug":"what-is-a-revocable-beneficiary-in-life-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/life-insurance\/what-is-a-revocable-beneficiary-in-life-insurance","title":{"rendered":"What is a Revocable Beneficiary in Life Insurance?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-template-selector templateSelector template__article articleSingle\" data-template=\"article\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__container tabListStickyWrapper is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__container__hero is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__container__hero__inner is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<span class=\"rbc-yoast-breadcrum-span\"><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/personal\/\">Home<\/a><\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__featuredImage__group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__title__group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\">What is a Revocable Beneficiary in Life Insurance?<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__date__group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-01T14:12:50-04:00\">September 1, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<span class=\"wp-block-rbc-html-element articleSingle__readTime\">13 Min Read<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__author__group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/tammy-burns.jpg?quality=80&w=807\" alt=\"Tammy Burns\">\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__author__details is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<span class=\"wp-block-rbc-html-element articleSingle__author__name\">Tammy Burns<\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"wp-block-rbc-html-element articleSingle__author__designation\">Insurance Writer<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"articleSingle__featuredImage wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/What-is-a-Revocable-Beneficiary-in-Life-Insurance.webp?quality=80&amp;w=1024\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"What is a Revocable Beneficiary in Life Insurance?\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/What-is-a-Revocable-Beneficiary-in-Life-Insurance.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/What-is-a-Revocable-Beneficiary-in-Life-Insurance.webp?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/What-is-a-Revocable-Beneficiary-in-Life-Insurance.webp?resize=768,512 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__container__main is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__container__page__nav is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\t\t<div class=\"socials-block\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"socials-block-title\">\n\t\t\tShare this article\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<div class=\"social-links mob-mar-b-hlf mob-mar-t-hlf\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"social-button-wrapper sharing-custom sharing-email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=What is a Revocable Beneficiary in Life Insurance? &#038;body=Hi, I thought you might be interested in this article from RBC Insurance: https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/life-insurance\/what-is-a-revocable-beneficiary-in-life-insurance\" aria-label=\"Email\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/rbc-blocks\/assets\/img\/icons\/icon-email.svg\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"envelope icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"social-button-wrapper sharing-copy-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<button class=\"sharing-custom sharing-copy\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/life-insurance\/what-is-a-revocable-beneficiary-in-life-insurance\" aria-label=\"Copy URL\">\n\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/rbc-blocks\/assets\/img\/icons\/icon-related.svg\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"copy icon\">\n\t\t\t<span id=\"sharing-copyUrl-Label\">\n\t\t\t\tCopy URL\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" class=\"sharing-copy-text\" aria-labelledby=\"sharing-copyUrl-Label\">\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n  \t\t<\/div>\t\n\t\t\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-tabs-list tabsList\" data-switch=\"lgBp\" data-target-heading=\"h2\"><p class=\"tabsList__heading\">On this page<\/p><div class=\"tabsList__wrapper\"><button class=\"selectDropdown__button\" aria-haspopup=\"listbox\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"selectDropdown__title\">What is a revocable beneficiary?<\/span><span class=\"selectDropdown__chevron\"><\/span><\/button><ul class=\"tabsList__items selectDropdown__list\"><li class=\"selectDropdown__list__item tabsList__item selected\"><a href=\"#h-what-is-a-revocable-beneficiary\">What is a revocable beneficiary?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"selectDropdown__list__item tabsList__item \"><a href=\"#h-revocable-vs-irrevocable-beneficiary-in-canada\">Revocable vs. irrevocable beneficiary in Canada<\/a><\/li><li class=\"selectDropdown__list__item tabsList__item \"><a href=\"#h-how-a-revocable-beneficiary-designation-affects-your-estate-in-canada\">How a revocable beneficiary designation affects your estate in Canada<\/a><\/li><li class=\"selectDropdown__list__item tabsList__item \"><a href=\"#h-when-should-you-review-your-revocable-beneficiary-designation\">When should you review your revocable beneficiary designation?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"selectDropdown__list__item tabsList__item \"><a href=\"#h-how-to-change-a-revocable-beneficiary-in-canada\">How to change a revocable beneficiary in Canada<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__content__main tabListHeadings is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<section class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-block  pos-rel\" style=\"border-radius:0px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-inner-block  section-inner\" style=\"border-radius:0x\">\n<p>Imagine you\u2019ve taken the important step of buying life insurance to help financially protect the people or causes you care about most. But years later, your circumstances have changed \u2014 you\u2019ve married, had children, started a business, or gone through a divorce \u2014 yet you haven&#8217;t updated your beneficiary designation. If something were to happen to you, the funds could go to someone you no longer intended to receive them \u2014 or even get tied up in legal limbo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In most cases, naming a revocable beneficiary provides the flexibility to update their beneficiary designation as life changes. A revocable beneficiary is someone you name to receive your life insurance proceeds, but whose designation you can change or remove at any time without their consent. This is the default type of beneficiary designation in most provinces and territories, except Qu\u00e9bec, but there are times when naming an irrevocable beneficiary designation might make sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing the right beneficiary designation helps ensure the death benefit reaches the people you want to support \u2014 quickly and without complications. This article explains revocable vs. irrevocable beneficiary designations, what to consider when updating your beneficiaries, and how your life insurance beneficiary can affect your estate after you pass away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading calloutCard__article__heading\" id=\"h-key-takeaways\">Key takeaways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group calloutCard__article__content is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Naming a beneficiary<\/strong> helps ensure your life insurance death benefit goes directly to the right people or entity you wish to support, rather than becoming part of your estate and going through probate.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>A revocable beneficiary<\/strong> can usually be changed at any time, while <strong>an irrevocable beneficiary<\/strong> generally can\u2019t be changed without the beneficiary\u2019s written consent.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>In Canada, most life insurance beneficiary designations are revocable by default. The exception is Qu\u00e9bec, where spouses are generally considered irrevocable beneficiaries unless you specify otherwise in your policy.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>It\u2019s a good idea to <strong>review and update your beneficiary designation(s)<\/strong> after major life events, like marriage, divorce, having a child, or the death of a named beneficiary.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Keeping your beneficiary designation up to date<\/strong> is one of the simplest ways to help ensure your life insurance proceeds go to the people or causes you want to support after you\u2019re gone.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-a-revocable-beneficiary\">What is a revocable beneficiary?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you take out a life insurance policy, you\u2019ll <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/life-insurance\/what-is-a-life-insurance-beneficiary\/\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/life-insurance\/what-is-a-life-insurance-beneficiary\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-LifeInsurance-41158-e80371df\" data-dig-category=\"LP-LifeInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"name a beneficiary\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">name a beneficiary<\/a><\/a> \u2014 the person or entity that will receive the policy\u2019s death benefit after you pass away. This could be a spouse, a family member, a friend, your estate, or even a business or charity. If you name more than one beneficiary, you can decide how the death benefit will be split among them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can generally choose between two types of beneficiaries:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article  is-style-list list\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group calloutCard__article__content is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>A revocable<\/strong> beneficiary is someone whose designation you can change or remove at any time, without their knowledge or consent. In all Canadian provinces and territories (except Qu\u00e9bec), this is the default type of beneficiary designation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>An irrevocable<\/strong> beneficiary is someone whose designation can\u2019t be changed or removed without their written consent.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For many Canadians, a revocable beneficiary offers the flexibility to update their policy as life changes. However, an irrevocable beneficiary can be useful in situations where it\u2019s important to ensure the death benefit remains protected for a specific person or entity, such as a business partner or a child following a divorce or separation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-does-a-revocable-beneficiary-work-in-canada\">How does a revocable beneficiary work in Canada?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/life-insurance\/\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/life-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-LifeInsurance-41158-ea84b4a6\" data-dig-category=\"LP-LifeInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"take out a life insurance policy\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">take out a life insurance policy<\/a><\/a>, you\u2019ll name one or more beneficiaries, and your insurer will record that choice. If your beneficiary is revocable, you can update the designation at any time by submitting a change request to your insurer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, you might initially name your sibling as your sole beneficiary. Later, after getting married or having a child, you may decide to name your spouse, add your child, or divide the death benefit between multiple beneficiaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A revocable beneficiary has no legal claim to your policy or its death benefit until you pass away. Once the death benefit is paid out, it generally goes directly to the named beneficiary instead of passing through your estate, helping the funds to reach your beneficiaries faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because a revocable beneficiary can be updated as your circumstances change, it\u2019s a good idea to review your designation after major life events, such as getting married, entering a common-law relationship, getting divorced, having a child, or if one of your named beneficiaries passes away. Keeping your beneficiary information current can help ensure your life insurance proceeds go to the people you intend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-revocable-vs-irrevocable-beneficiary-in-canada\">Revocable vs. irrevocable beneficiary in Canada<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether a revocable or irrevocable beneficiary is right for you largely depends on your situation, who you\u2019re naming as a beneficiary, and where you live in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Revocable beneficiary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With a revocable beneficiary, the policyholder retains full control of the policy until they pass away. This gives you flexibility in deciding who gets the payout: You can change or remove your beneficiary designation at any time, without the beneficiary\u2019s knowledge or consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, maybe you\u2019re single when you first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/life-insurance\/compare-life-insurance\/\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/life-insurance\/compare-life-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-LifeInsurance-41158-6713483f\" data-dig-category=\"LP-LifeInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"choose your life insurance policy\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">choose your life insurance policy<\/a><\/a>, but want the freedom to later name a partner or children as beneficiaries down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In most of Canada, a revocable beneficiary is the default designation. The exception is Qu\u00e9bec, where a spouse is automatically deemed an irrevocable beneficiary unless specified otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Irrevocable beneficiary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An irrevocable beneficiary has a vested interest in your life insurance policy. Once you&#8217;ve named an irrevocable beneficiary, you generally can\u2019t change or remove their designation, surrender the policy, borrow against it, or make certain changes to the policy without their written consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While that means giving up some flexibility, it can offer certainty that the death benefit will go to the intended person. For example, a court may order someone to name an irrevocable beneficiary as part of a divorce settlement or child support agreement. This helps ensure the financial protection stays in place and that the beneficiary\u2019s payout can\u2019t be changed without their consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Qu\u00e9bec, if you name your spouse as a beneficiary, they\u2019re generally considered irrevocable unless you\u2019ve specified otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Irrevocable beneficiaries can also be useful in business partner agreements. For example, if one partner dies, the death benefit helps ensure funds are available for the surviving partner to buy out the deceased partner\u2019s share of the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-a-revocable-beneficiary-designation-affects-your-estate-in-canada\">How a revocable beneficiary designation affects your estate in Canada<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the biggest benefits of naming a revocable beneficiary is that your life insurance proceeds are generally paid directly to the beneficiary instead of becoming part of your estate. That means they can usually bypass <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/life-insurance\/what-is-probate-how-does-it-work\/\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/life-insurance\/what-is-probate-how-does-it-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-LifeInsurance-41158-db7d57fb\" data-dig-category=\"LP-LifeInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"probate\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">probate<\/a><\/a> \u2014 the legal process of validating a will \u2014 helping your loved ones receive the funds faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t have a designated beneficiary on your policy, or your beneficiary dies before you and no alternate beneficiary has been named, the death benefit goes to the estate. It may be subject to probate, creditors (if your estate has outstanding debts), and delays before the funds can be distributed. Depending on the complexity of the estate, the probate process can take anywhere from six weeks to more than a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why keeping your life insurance beneficiary designations updated is one of the simplest yet most impactful things you can do to protect your loved ones\u2019 financial security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Special considerations for Qu\u00e9bec<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Qu\u00e9bec plays by a slightly different set of rules when it comes to life insurance beneficiaries. Qu\u00e9bec follows the <em>Civil Code of Qu\u00e9bec<\/em> instead of the English common law system used throughout the rest of Canada. The rules around life insurance beneficiary designation are set out in <a href=\"https:\/\/ccq.lexum.com\/w\/ccq\/en#!fragment\/sec2395\/BQCwhgziBcwMYgK4DsDWszIQewE4BUBTADwBdoJC4AmAZgE4BWASgBpltTCIBFRQ3AE9oAchGsIcXNgA2MgMJI00AITIJhMLgR8BwsRq0IAynlIAhYQCUAogBkbANQCCAOXk3WpMACNopbDhmZiA\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ccq.lexum.com\/w\/ccq\/en#!fragment\/sec2395\/BQCwhgziBcwMYgK4DsDWszIQewE4BUBTADwBdoJC4AmAZgE4BWASgBpltTCIBFRQ3AE9oAchGsIcXNgA2MgMJI00AITIJhMLgR8BwsRq0IAynlIAhYQCUAogBkbANQCCAOXk3WpMACNopbDhmZiA\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-LifeInsurance-41158-016057ae\" data-dig-category=\"LP-LifeInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"Articles 2445 to 2462 of the Civil Code of Qu\u00e9bec\" class=\"rbc-link-format externalsite-link\" data-icon-class=\"externalsite-link\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Articles 2445 to 2462 of the <em>Civil Code of Qu\u00e9bec<\/em><\/a><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s the key thing to know: if you name your spouse as the beneficiary of an individual life insurance policy, they are generally considered an <em>irrevocable beneficiary<\/em> unless you specify otherwise. That means you usually can\u2019t change or remove them later without their written consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, if you live in Qu\u00e9bec and prefer a revocable beneficiary, you must indicate that your spouse\u2019s designation is revocable when completing your beneficiary designation. If you don\u2019t, you won\u2019t be able to change the designation later without your spouse\u2019s consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, if you name someone other than your spouse, such as a child, sibling, or charity, they\u2019re generally considered a revocable beneficiary unless you specify otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In certain group insurance plans, spouses and some family members may also be designated as irrevocable by default.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The takeaway? If you live in Qu\u00e9bec, it\u2019s worth taking a moment to confirm with your insurer whether your life insurance beneficiary designation is revocable or irrevocable. And if you&#8217;re unsure how Qu\u00e9bec&#8217;s rules apply to your situation, consider speaking with a notary or legal advisor before making changes to your policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-should-you-review-your-revocable-beneficiary-designation\">When should you review your revocable beneficiary designation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Life doesn\u2019t stand still \u2014 and your beneficiary designation shouldn\u2019t either. As your family, relationships, and financial priorities evolve, it\u2019s worth taking a few minutes to make sure your life insurance policy still reflects your wishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some common times to revisit your beneficiary designation:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article  is-style-list list\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group calloutCard__article__content is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Getting married or entering a common-law relationship<\/strong>. You may want to add your spouse or partner as a beneficiary or update how your death benefit will be divided.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Having a child or grandchild.<\/strong> A growing family often means revisiting your estate plan and deciding who you\u2019d like to provide for.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Going through a separation or divorce<\/strong>. If your relationship has changed, review your beneficiary designation to make sure your life insurance proceeds will go to the right person. Keep in mind that a separation or divorce doesn\u2019t automatically remove a spouse as a named beneficiary.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>The death of a named beneficiary<\/strong>. If one of your beneficiaries passes away before you, you&#8217;ll likely want to name a new beneficiary or adjust how the death benefit is divided.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>A significant change in your financial situation or estate plan<\/strong>. Whether you\u2019ve purchased a home, started or sold a business, or updated your will, it\u2019s a good opportunity to review your beneficiary designation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-change-a-revocable-beneficiary-in-canada\">How to change a revocable beneficiary in Canada<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Changing your beneficiary is usually straightforward, and in most cases, you don\u2019t need a revocable beneficiary\u2019s consent to make updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To change your beneficiary:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article  is-style-list list\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group calloutCard__article__content is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>1. Contact your life insurance provider<\/strong>. Get in touch with your insurer, such as RBC Insurance, to request a beneficiary change form. You may even be able to access the form online or through your advisor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Complete the form<\/strong>. You\u2019ll typically have to provide your new beneficiary\u2019s full legal name, date of birth, and relationship to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Submit the paperwork to your insurer.<\/strong> The change will take effect once it\u2019s processed by your insurance company.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s something that catches some people by surprise: A legal will typically doesn\u2019t override the named beneficiary on a life insurance policy. Your insurer will pay the death benefit based on the most recent beneficiary designation on file. So, if you want to change who receives the payout, make sure you update your policy rather than assuming a will override it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-small-step-can-make-a-big-difference\">A small step can make a big difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Naming a beneficiary might seem like a small detail, but it plays a big role in how your life insurance supports the people you care about. Taking the time to understand your options now can help make things simpler for your loved ones later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re reviewing your coverage or thinking about buying life insurance, RBC Insurance has tools to help. Use our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/life-insurance\/life-insurance-calculator\/index.html\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/life-insurance\/life-insurance-calculator\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-LifeInsurance-41158-ec43a287\" data-dig-category=\"LP-LifeInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"Life Insurance Calculator\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">Life Insurance Calculator<\/a><\/a> to estimate your coverage needs or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/request-a-call\/personal-insurance\/contact-us\/index.html\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/request-a-call\/personal-insurance\/contact-us\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-LifeInsurance-41158-dcdfa222\" data-dig-category=\"LP-LifeInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"speak with a licensed RBC Insurance advisor\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">speak with a licensed RBC Insurance advisor<\/a><\/a> if you&#8217;d like help finding the right solution for your situation.ay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-block  pos-rel\" style=\"border-radius:0px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-inner-block  section-inner\" style=\"border-radius:0x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-inner-block  section-inner block-wpr bg-light-blue rounded-corners pos-rel pad-l pad-r mob-pad-r centered-block mob-pad-l pad-t mob-pad-t pad-b mob-pad-b section-ads\" style=\"border-radius:0x\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center mar-t mar-b-hlf mob-mar-b-hlf mob-mar-t\" id=\"h-rbc-life-insurance\">RBC Life Insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center mar-b-hlf mob-mar-b-hlf pad-r mob-pad-r pad-l mob-pad-l has-text-reg-font-size\">Protect Your Loved Ones With Dependable Life Insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter btn is-style-primary primary\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-lg-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/life-insurance\/life-insurance-quote\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-dig-id=\"LP-283-476a44f4\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"button click\" data-dig-label=\"Get a quote-https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/life-insurance\/life-insurance-quote\/index.html \">Get a quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center mar-t-hlf mob-mar-t-hlf pad-b mob-pad-b has-text-reg-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/life-insurance\/\" data-dig-id=\"LP-273-18de2c2e\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"Learn More\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-block  pos-rel\" style=\"border-radius:0px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-inner-block  section-inner\" style=\"border-radius:0x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article  is-style-faqs faqs\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading calloutCard__article__heading\" id=\"h-frequently-asked-questions-faqs-about-revocable-beneficiaries-in-canada\">Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about revocable beneficiaries in Canada<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-the-difference-between-a-revocable-and-irrevocable-beneficiary-in-canada\">What is the difference between a revocable and irrevocable beneficiary in Canada?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest difference comes down to flexibility. If you\u2019ve named a revocable beneficiary on a life insurance policy, you can change or remove them at any time without their knowledge or consent. You can also update how your death benefit is divided if you\u2019ve named multiple beneficiaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With an irrevocable beneficiary, you\u2019ll generally need their written consent before you can change or remove them or update how the death benefit is divided. Depending on your policy, you\u2019ll also need their permission before making certain changes, such as borrowing against or cancelling the policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does a will override a revocable beneficiary designation in Canada?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In most cases, no. Generally speaking, a will cannot override the designated beneficiary on a life insurance policy in Canada. Your life insurance policy and your will are treated separately. In most cases, your insurer will pay the death benefit to the beneficiary named on your policy, even if your will says something different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to change who receives your life insurance proceeds, be sure to update your beneficiary designation with your insurer \u2014 not just your will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens to a revocable beneficiary in a divorce in Canada?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It depends on where you live. In most Canadian provinces and territories, a separation or divorce doesn\u2019t automatically remove a former spouse as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy. If your spouse is listed as a revocable beneficiary, you\u2019ll usually need to update your beneficiary designation with your insurer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The exception is Qu\u00e9bec, where the rules are different. In many cases, if you\u2019ve named your spouse as your beneficiary and your marriage or civil union later ends through divorce, annulment, or dissolution, they won\u2019t automatically remain your beneficiary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can a minor be named as a revocable beneficiary on a life insurance policy in Canada?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, you can name a minor as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy in Canada. However, if they\u2019re under the legal age of majority when you pass away, they generally can\u2019t receive the funds directly. Instead, the money may be held in trust or managed on the child\u2019s behalf until they\u2019re old enough to receive them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you designate a minor as your beneficiary, it\u2019s worth considering whether to appoint a trustee to manage the funds according to your wishes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-default-collapsible\"><p><button class=\"collapse-toggle collapsed\" data-target=\"#collapse2de7ba0a\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse2de7ba0a\" data-dig-id=\"LP-10384-2de7ba0a\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"accordion closed\" action-closed=\"accordion closed\" action-opened=\"accordion open\" data-dig-label=\"Things Our Lawyers Want You to Know\"><div>Things Our Lawyers Want You to Know<\/div><\/button><\/p><div class=\"collapse-content collapse\" id=\"collapse2de7ba0a\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-collapsible-inner-block collapse-inner\">\n<p class=\"has-text-sm-font-size\">*Home and auto insurance products are distributed by RBC Insurance Agency Ltd. and underwritten by Aviva General Insurance Company. In Quebec, RBC Insurance Agency Ltd. Is registered as a damage insurance agency. As a result of government-run auto insurance plans, auto insurance is not available through RBC Insurance in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Not everyone who uses online platforms or calls in will be able to get a quote or buy an insurance policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-sm-font-size\">This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn what a revocable beneficiary is in Canadian life insurance, how it differs from an irrevocable beneficiary, and when to update your designation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":222,"featured_media":41160,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"templates\/new-rbci-design.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[54],"tags":[202,4],"article-type":[80],"ppma_author":[187],"class_list":{"0":"post-41158","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-life-insurance","8":"tag-complexity","9":"tag-life-insurance","10":"article-type-advice-learning"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.3 (Yoast SEO v28.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is a Revocable Beneficiary in Life Insurance? | RBC Insurance<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn what a revocable beneficiary is in Canadian life insurance, how it differs from an irrevocable 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