Marriage or Re-Marriage

Update Your Beneficiary Form!

If you’re an active member, and you get married (or remarried), remember to submit a new beneficiary form to clearly indicate that your new spouse will be your beneficiary in the unfortunate event of your death.

It is true that if you pass away prior to retirement and do not have a beneficiary designation form on file, your spouse or domestic partner will be your automatic beneficiary, provided that your spouse or domestic partner can provide proof of marriage or domestic partnership.

But note!  An old beneficiary form you have on file will NOT automatically expire if you get married or remarried unless you submit a new beneficiary form to replace it.  So, if you have submitted a beneficiary designation form—for example, listing your brother Leroy as your beneficiary—but then get married to lovely Rita who lives next door, brother Leroy will be your beneficiary, and not your wife Rita unless you submit a new beneficiary form naming your wife Rita as your beneficiary.

So, be sure to check your beneficiary form if you get married or remarried.

It is always best for an employee to have a fully executed and accurate beneficiary designation form on file, even if an employee intends their spouse or domestic partner as the beneficiary.  A properly executed beneficiary designation form ensures that there are no questions or conflicts as to who may receive a survivor benefit if the employee passes away prior to retirement.

And in the unfortunate possibility of a divorce (poor Rita), remember that New Mexico is a community property state and your ex-spouse may be entitled to a portion of your benefit.