Beneficiary Review Checklist
A simple guide to keeping designations aligned with your intentions.
Life & Legacy
Protect today. Prepare for tomorrow.
Leave something meaningful behind.
What are you really protecting?
Begin with what matters—not insurance terminology. Choose one to see where your planning conversation might start.
Select what matters most to you.
Life evolves. Your coverage should too.
The policy you needed at 30 may not be the policy you need at 55.
Starting OutBuilding a foundation
FamilyExpanding responsibilities
BusinessProtecting what you built
LegacyPlanning what comes next
The PJRC Life & Legacy Checkup
What are you protecting?
Choose any that apply. This creates a starting point—not an insurance recommendation.
Protection for the years when the stakes are highest. Often used for income replacement, mortgage obligations, education years, or other time-defined needs.
Coverage designed around expenses a family may face when someone dies. A simple goal deserves a clear, dignified conversation.
Protection designed for needs that may not have an expiration date. Some policies can also accumulate policy value, subject to their contracts.
Because the mortgage, groceries, childcare, tuition, and everyday bills do not stop when a paycheck does.
Life insurance can support key-person planning, buy-sell funding, succession, liquidity, and legacy objectives when properly coordinated.
Life insurance can do more than many people realize.
Today’s solutions may offer valuable benefits beyond a death benefit. Explore the possibilities—without assuming every policy contains every feature.
Living BenefitsPotential access after qualifying events.
Return of PremiumAvailable under certain term designs.
Disability ProtectionWaiver features may help preserve coverage.
Future InsurabilityOptions may permit added coverage later.
Family RidersCoverage possibilities for spouse or children.
Long-Term CareContract-specific chronic illness or LTC strategies.
Cash-Value AccessPotential lifetime access in certain policies.
Availability and provisions vary by carrier, policy, underwriting, and state.
Using life insurance while you're living
What if part of your strategy could remain accessible during your lifetime?
Certain permanent policies can build value over time. Access depends on the contract, funding history, charges, surrender provisions, and existing loans.
1
Fund Policy
Begin with a policy designed around your goals.
2
Build Policy Value
Value may accumulate after costs and charges.
3
Access Available Value
Loans or withdrawals may be available.
4
Manage Access
Interest and outstanding balances matter.
5
Preserve Policy Health
Monitor sustainability and long-term benefits.
Cash value ≠ surrender value ≠ available loan amount. Policy loans and withdrawals can reduce values and death benefits and may create lapse or tax consequences.
Understand your policy
Your policy has more than one number.
Each value serves a different purpose. Understanding the difference helps you ask better questions.
Death Benefit
What may ultimately be paid upon the insured’s death.
Policy Value
Value accumulated inside the contract, if applicable.
Cash Surrender Value
The amount potentially available after applicable adjustments.
Loan Availability
What the contract currently permits the owner to borrow.
The IUL Illustration Lab
Guaranteed vs. illustrated.
An illustration contains assumptions—not promises. We help separate what the contract guarantees from what is merely illustrated.
Have an illustration? Let PJRC help you understand itGuaranteed Elements
- Contractual guaranteed values
- Guaranteed minimums
- Defined policy charges
- Guaranteed death benefit provisions
Non-Guaranteed Illustrated Elements
- Assumed index crediting
- Current cap or participation assumptions
- Potential future policy value
- Illustrated loan performance
Plan with purpose
Life Insurance Needs Calculator
Estimate an illustrative protection gap. This educational tool is a conversation starter—not a product recommendation, quote, guarantee, or offer of coverage.
A clearer perspective
Term or Permanent?
Neither is automatically better. Select the priorities that matter to you and see how the educational conversation changes.
Choose one or more priorities to begin the educational comparison.
A simple flow. A lasting impact.
From today to their tomorrow.
With a valid beneficiary designation, proceeds are generally paid directly by the insurer rather than through the insured’s probate estate and are generally not included in the beneficiary’s federal gross income. Exceptions can apply.
What if I want more control? Explore Education & Estate PlanningYou
You build and plan.
Life Insurance Policy
The contract carries your intentions.
Beneficiary
Your legacy supports what comes next.
The PJRC private-client approach
Don't replace it. Understand it.
Bring your current policy, latest statement, and original or in-force illustration if available. We’ll help you understand what you own before discussing change.
Request a Life / Policy Review- Review coverage and beneficiaries
- Identify riders, guarantees, values, and loans
- Discuss policy sustainability and conversion options
- Coordinate with your attorney or CPA when appropriate
Life & Legacy Library
Clarity for what comes next.
Life Events Coverage Checklist
Moments that should prompt a fresh look at protection.
Understanding Your IUL Illustration
Questions to ask about assumptions, costs, and guarantees.
Existing Policy Review Checklist
What to gather before discussing an existing contract.
Your legacy matters
You've built a life worth protecting.
Let's make sure the plan behind it is just as thoughtful.