n., pl. -ies.

1. One that receives a benefit: I am the beneficiary of your generosity.
2. The recipient of funds, property, or other benefits, as from an insurance policy or will.
3. Ecclesiastical. The holder of a benefice.

[Medieval Latin beneficiārius, holder of a feudal benefice, from Latin, soldier granted privileges, from beneficium, benefit. See benefice.]

beneficiary ben'e·fi'ci·ar'y adj.

A person or entity named in a will or a financial contract as the inheritor of property when the property owner dies.

Investopedia Says:
A beneficiary can be a spouse, child, charity or any entity or person to whom the property owner would like to leave his or her possessions and assets.

Related Links:
Life changes make it time to rewrite your plan's designations. Update Your Beneficiaries
Make sure your beneficiary designations not only reflect your intentions but also meet the requirements to be effective. Problematic Beneficiary Designations - Part 1
Designating a trust as your IRA beneficiary can be beneficial, but it requires proper planning to avoid problems. Problematic Beneficiary Designations - Part 2
Unless certain action is taken by this date, distribution rules can put the youngest inheritor at a disadvantage. The Importance Of Sept 30 For Multiple Beneficiaries
Contrary to popular belief, inheriting assets isn't always a good thing. Find out what to do if you want to disclaim them. Refusing An Inheritance
Decide now who will inherit your policy and how. Life Insurance Distribution And Benefits
Don't trust the courts to follow your wishes - plan the distribution of your own assets. Why You Should Draft A Will
Make sure all your loose ends are tied with these simple reminders and tips for your plans. A Year-End Retirement Planning Checklist
Find out how to protect and provide for your pet after you pass away. Keep Your Pets' Trust

Designation by the owner of a life insurance policy indicating to whom the proceeds are to be paid upon the insured's death or when an endowment matures. Anyone can be named a beneficiary (relative, non-relative, pet, charity, corporation, trustee, partnership). A primary beneficiary is the first-named beneficiary, who must survive the death of the insured in order to collect the proceeds. A contingent or secondary beneficiary will receive the proceeds if the primary beneficiary does not survive the insured. A revocable beneficiary (primary or secondary) can be changed by the policyowner at any time. An irrevocable beneficiary (primary or secondary) can be changed by the policyowner only with the written permission of that beneficiary. Naming an irrevocable beneficiary removes the policy from the estate of the insured, who thereby gives up incidences of ownership for estate tax purposes.

If a beneficiary is convicted of murdering the insured, the beneficiary cannot collect the death benefit. The insured's estate would receive the benefit.

The person who receives or is to receive the benefits resulting from certain acts.
Example: Whitman takes out a $100,000 life insurance policy with her husband as the beneficiary. Should Whitman die, her husband will receive the benefits from the policy.

n

Definition: person who gains, benefits
Antonyms: giver, payer

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n

1. a person eligible for benefits under a dental plan. n 2. a person who receives benefits under a dental benefit contract. See also covered person; insured; member; and subscriber.

For more information on beneficiary, visit Britannica.com.

This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

An organization or a person for whom a trust is created and who thereby receives the benefits of the trust. One who inherits under a will. A person entitled to a beneficial interest or a right to profits, benefit, or advantage from a contract.

(ben-uh-fish-ee-er-ee, ben-uh-fish-uh-ree)

The recipient of funds, property, or other benefits from an insurance policy, will, trust, or other settlement.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Common misspelling(s) of beneficiary

• beneficary

Dansk (Danish)
n. - begunstiget, brugsberettiget

Nederlands (Dutch)
begunstigde, vruchtgebruiker

Français (French)
n. - bénéficiaire, légataire, ayant droit, (Relig) bénéficier

Deutsch (German)
n. - Nutznießer

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - δικαιούχος, δωρεοδόχος

Italiano (Italian)
beneficiario

Português (Portuguese)
n. - beneficiário (m)

Русский (Russian)
бенефициарий, наследник

Español (Spanish)
n. - beneficiario, beneficiado

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - förmånstagare, betalningsmottagare

中文（简体） (Chinese (Simplified))
受惠者, 受益人

中文（繁體） (Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 受惠者, 受益人

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 이익을 받는 사람

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 受益者, 受取人
adj. - 聖職禄の

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) مستفيد, منتفع‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮נהנה (מעיזבון), בעל קצבה‬

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