What Stands Out in Vanguard’s Forms
- The Vanguard IRA form offers per stirpes and allows a class of beneficiaries such as your descendants.
- Vanguard’s Transfer on Death Plan refuses per stirpes and class designations like “my descendants”, so every beneficiary must be named.
- Vanguard’s employer 401(k) beneficiary form offers no per stirpes option.
- A divorce revokes a spouse named on a Vanguard IRA, but the TOD plan keeps a former spouse unless the designation is changed.
Each account type below follows its own form. For every rule, the answer is in plain words, and “Show the wording” opens the firm’s own sentence with its form number, revision date and page. “Not stated” means the firm’s public documents are silent on the point, not that it refuses.
IRA: Vanguard
Covers Traditional IRA (incl. Rollover, SEP, SIMPLE); Roth IRA; Inherited IRA (beneficiary naming successor beneficiaries).
Can a trust be the primary beneficiary?
Yes. Yes, living trust or testamentary trust
Show the wording
“Trusts ... To a trust you've already created ... Name of trust ... Date of trust ... To a trust that will be created under your last will ... Name of trust or section of will”
Can a trust be a contingent beneficiary?
Yes. Yes
Show the wording
“Backup beneficiaries ... Trusts ... To a trust you've already created ... To a trust that will be created under your last will”
How must a trust be named?
Yes. Trust name and date (or will section for a testamentary trust); trustee names not needed
Show the wording
“Name of trust Date of trust mm dd yyyy ... Note: You don't need to provide trustee names at”
What trust details are asked for?
Yes. Trust name and date only; trustee names not needed
Show the wording
“Note: You don't need to provide trustee names at this time. The trustee(s) will be identified at the time of your death.”
Trust documents requested
No. No; trustee's representations relied on at death
Show the wording
“VFTC shall have no independent duty to obtain or verify such information but may instead rely upon the representations of an authorized party such as the executor or administrator of my estate or, if a trust beneficiary, the trustee of that trust (my fiduciary).”
Per stirpes offered?
Yes. Only as a class gift to the owner's own descendants ("Children (Descendants, per stirpes)"); no per stirpes box for a named beneficiary
Show the wording
“Children (Descendants, per stirpes) Your assets will be divided equally among all your children. If any of your children pass before you, their share will be divided equally among their children (also known as per stirpes). This designation excludes stepchildren and step-grandchildren.”
How per stirpes is defined
Yes. Generational (per capita at each generation) definition in custodial agreement; form excludes step-descendants
Show the wording
“1.14 Per Stirpes means a way of dividing the Account as follows: The Account shall be divided into as many equal shares as there are surviving descendants in the generation nearest to the decedent that contains at least one surviving descendant and deceased descendants in the same generation who left surviving descendants”
Can you name a class, such as “my descendants”?
Yes. Class options for the owner's own children (descendants per stirpes) or grandchildren; spouse by relationship ("the person I'm married to at the time of my death"); step-descendants excluded
Show the wording
“Children (Descendants, per stirpes) ... Your assets will be divided equally among all your children. If any of your children pass ... Grandchildren only”
Custom designations accepted?
Yes. Agreement allows other designations "deemed acceptable by the Custodian"; form offers no attachment for custom language
Show the wording
“You may also select other beneficiary designations deemed acceptable by the Custodian.”
If a beneficiary dies first
Yes. Yes, "Grandchildren only" class; spouse by relationship ("the person I'm married to at the time of my death")
Show the wording
“Grandchildren only This option will skip your children, and your assets will be passed in equal portions directly to all your grandchildren (step-grandchildren are not included). ... To the person I'm married to at the time of my death”
If no beneficiary is named or survives
Yes. Surviving spouse, else estate
Show the wording
“If no Beneficiary designation is in effect, or if there are no surviving Beneficiaries, at the time of the Investor's death, the Beneficiary shall be the Investor's surviving spouse, if any. If the Investor has no surviving spouse, the Investor's Beneficiary shall be the Investor's estate.”
Minor beneficiaries
Yes. Yes (individual by name); custodian may open an inherited account for the minor
Show the wording
“If upon the death of the Investor, a Beneficiary known to the Custodian to be a minor is entitled to receive any undistributed assets of the Account, the Custodian may, in its absolute discretion, transfer assets to an inherited Account for the benefit of the minor Beneficiary.”
Can the estate be named?
Yes. Yes
Show the wording
“My estate ... Assets will be transferred to your estate at the time of your death”
Spousal consent
No. Community property, warning only, no consent signature
Show the wording
“Important note about community property rights. If you lived in a community property state while you were married, your spouse at that time may have certain rights to your retirement account. ... Vanguard won't assume responsibility for determining whether your IRA is subject to community property laws.”
Effect of divorce
Yes. Revokes a spouse designation (by name or relationship) on divorce or annulment unless the owner indicated otherwise; final only when documentary proof is given after death (the kit says the named ex-spouse may receive the assets unless Vanguard gets proof of the divorce)
Show the wording
“Unless the Investor has indicated otherwise on the ... Beneficiary designation, any designation of a Spouse ... by name or by relationship shall be deemed revoked ... by the divorce of the Investor and such Beneficiary; ... shall mean a final decree of divorce, annulment, or”
Limit on the number of beneficiaries
No. 5 named-individual lines per class; copy the page; minimum 1% per beneficiary
Show the wording
“If you need more space to list additional beneficiary designations, copy this page.”
Can you change it online?
Yes. Yes (login)
Show the wording
“To change your beneficiaries online Log on to your account at vanguard.com. From the My Accounts dropdown, select Profile & account settings. Then select Beneficiaries and follow the instructions.”
How to submit
Yes. Mail (regular or overnight, El Paso); online
Show the wording
“To designate your beneficiaries by mail ... To change your beneficiaries online ... Mail your completed form and any attached information to:”
Employer plan: Vanguard Institutional
Covers 401(k)/401(a) employer plan.
Can a trust be the primary beneficiary?
Yes. Yes, trust under agreement or under will
Show the wording
“Trust(s) To the trustee of an existing trust created under agreement To the trustee of a trust created under my last will”
Can a trust be a contingent beneficiary?
Yes. Yes
Show the wording
“Contingent Beneficiaries ... Trust(s)”
How must a trust be named?
Yes. Trust name and date, or will section for a testamentary trust
Show the wording
“Full Name (First, Middle, Last), Trust or Charity/Entity Name ... Birth or Trust Date ... Section of Will”
What trust details are asked for?
Yes. Name and trust date (or section of will); TIN field
Show the wording
“Full Name (First, Middle, Last), Trust or Charity/Entity Name ... Birth or Trust Date ... Section of Will”
Per stirpes offered?
No. No
Show the wording
“If any of your primary beneficiaries is deceased at the time of your death, his or her portion of your assets will be divided proportionately among your surviving primary beneficiaries, if any.”
If a beneficiary dies first
Yes. USC plan form, lapsed share pro rata to surviving primaries (the Google plan page instead says a predeceased beneficiary's share passes to that beneficiary's own primary beneficiaries; plan-specific)
Show the wording
“If any of your primary beneficiaries is deceased at the time of your death, his or her portion of your assets will be divided proportionately among your surviving primary beneficiaries, if any.”
If no beneficiary is named or survives
Yes. Surviving spouse, else estate (generally; plan document controls)
Show the wording
“Generally, if you don't designate any beneficiaries, or if all your primary and contingent beneficiaries predecease you, your surviving spouse becomes your beneficiary. If you're not married and haven't named a beneficiary, your money will go to your estate”
Can the estate be named?
Yes. Yes
Show the wording
“My Estate ... No additional information required”
Spousal consent
Yes. Yes, QPSA waiver with notarized spousal consent; age 35 rule
Show the wording
“You must complete the following if (a) you are married, (b) have accumulated benefits in any portion of your Plan account that are subject to the qualified pre-retirement survivor annuity rules (the Rules) under Section 401(a)(11) ... Your spouse's signature must be witnessed by a Notary Public. ... If you waive the QPSA benefit prior to attaining age 35, you will need to make another waiver after your 35th birthday.”
Limit on the number of beneficiaries
No. 3 primary and 3 contingent lines; photocopy or separate sheet
Show the wording
“more space to list additional beneficiaries, photocopy the applicable pages or provide all the information requested on a separate sheet.”
Can you change it online?
Yes. Yes; spousal consent printed at end and notarized
Show the wording
“If you're married and you decide to name someone other than your spouse as your primary beneficiary, you'll need to complete a 401(k) Spousal Consent Form. You'll be able to print and complete this form at the end of the online process. The form needs to be signed and notarized”
How to submit
Yes. Online; mail; notarized spousal consent printed and mailed
Show the wording
“If you prefer, you can designate your beneficiaries online at www.vanguard.com. The online process is faster than via mail ... Mail to: Vanguard, P.O. Box 1101, Valley Forge, PA 19482.”
Brokerage TOD: Vanguard
Covers Brokerage and mutual fund TOD (Transfer on Death Plan).
Can a trust be the primary beneficiary?
Yes. Existing trust under agreement only
Show the wording
“To the trustee of an existing trust created under an agreement ... Name of trust”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 7
Can a trust be a contingent beneficiary?
Yes. Existing living trust as backup
Show the wording
“Backup beneficiaries Fill in all that apply. ... To the trustee of an existing trust created under an agreement”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 7
How must a trust be named?
Yes. Trust name and date; existing trust only
Show the wording
“To the trustee of an existing trust created under an agreement ... Date of trust mm dd yyyy”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 7
What trust details are asked for?
Yes. Trust name and date
Show the wording
“Name of trust ... This applies to an existing trust only; you can't create a trust with this form. Date of trust”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 7
Sample trust wording
Yes. Sample living trust designation
Show the wording
“The Martin Family Trust U/A, dated January 15, 2013”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 4
Per stirpes offered?
No. No class gifts, no per stirpes
Show the wording
“Vanguard doesn't accept designations that name a group of individuals, such as "my descendants" or "children, per stirpes," on a Transfer on Death Plan because of the difficulty in identifying the members of the”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 4
Can you name a class, such as “my descendants”?
No. Class designations refused
Show the wording
“Vanguard doesn't accept designations that name a group of individuals, such as "my descendants" or "children, per stirpes," on a Transfer on Death Plan”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 4
If a beneficiary dies first
Yes. Proportional to surviving beneficiaries, then backups
Show the wording
“If any beneficiary is deceased at the time of your death, his or her assets will be divided proportionately among your surviving beneficiaries. Your backup beneficiaries will inherit your assets only if you have no surviving beneficiaries at the time of your death.”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 4
If no beneficiary is named or survives
Yes. Owner's estate
Show the wording
“If none of your Plan Beneficiaries survive you or survive the last surviving account owner, if applicable, then your estate or the last surviving account owner's estate, as the case may be, will be treated as the Plan Beneficiary.”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 12
Minor beneficiaries
Yes. Vanguard may transfer to an account for the minor or to a guardian, parent, UTMA/UGMA custodian or person named in the owner's will or trust
Show the wording
“4.4 Minors as Beneficiaries. If, upon the death of ... Beneficiary known to Vanguard to be a minor is ... its absolute discretion, transfer or distribute the ... Plan Securities to which the minor is entitled to an”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 12
Effect of divorce
Yes. Does not revoke, the plan overrides a divorce decree, and a statutory change presented after death is not honored without a court order (Pennsylvania-law plan)
Show the wording
“therein in any will; trust; premarital, marital, or ... divorce agreement or decree; or other instrument. ... change to your Plan Beneficiary purported to ... be made by a will, trust, agreement, or other ... instrument or state statute presented to Vanguard ... after your death, unless directed to do so by court”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 12
Limit on the number of beneficiaries
No. 5 individual, 2 trust and 5 organization lines; separate sheet for more; minimum 1%
Show the wording
“If you need more ... space to list additional ... names, provide the ... information on a ... separate sheet.”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 6
Wording the firm refuses
Yes. Group designations refused
Show the wording
“Vanguard doesn't accept designations that name a group of individuals, such as "my descendants" or "children, per stirpes," on a Transfer on Death Plan”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 4
Can you change it online?
Yes. Online enrollment if available; otherwise paper form
Show the wording
“by completing and signing the Application Form ... or, if available, by enrolling online through ... vanguard.com. Your enrollment will be effective”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 11
How to submit
Yes. Mail (regular or overnight, El Paso); online if available
Show the wording
“Mail your completed form and any attached information to: ... or, if available, by enrolling online through”
form FDBPT (kit BDBP; agreement TODPAT 092025), revised 07/2026, p. 10
Do your Vanguard beneficiaries match your will or trust?
Book a free 30-minute consult. We will read your designations against your estate plan and fix the ones that do not match.
Book your free consultRelated Guides
- Fidelity Beneficiary Forms: IRA, TOD, 401(k) and HSA Rules
- TIAA Beneficiary Designation Form Rules: IRA and 403(b)
- Beneficiary designation rules at 286 institutions
- Can a trust be a beneficiary? How to name one, form by form
- What is a TOD account
- Naming a trust as IRA beneficiary
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is the Vanguard Beneficiary Form?
Vanguard lets you change most beneficiaries online after you log in, and publishes paper forms for IRAs and for its Transfer on Death Plan. Employer 401(k) plans administered by Vanguard use the plan’s own beneficiary form.
Does Vanguard Allow Per Stirpes?
On an IRA, yes. On its Transfer on Death Plan for brokerage and mutual fund accounts, no, and it also refuses designations that name a group such as “my descendants”. Its 401(k) beneficiary form does not offer per stirpes.
Can I Name a Trust as My Vanguard Beneficiary?
Yes, on the IRA, the Transfer on Death Plan and the 401(k) form. Vanguard’s TOD plan gives a sample for naming a trust, “The Martin Family Trust U/A, dated January 15, 2013”.
Common Situations
Two accounts, two rules. A mother names “my children, per stirpes” on her Vanguard IRA and tries to write the same thing on her Vanguard brokerage account’s transfer on death plan. The IRA accepts it. The TOD plan does not accept class designations or per stirpes, so each child must be named, and a child who dies before her drops out of that account.
The divorce that updated one account. A man divorces and never changes his Vanguard beneficiaries. His IRA agreement revokes the designation of his former wife, but his TOD plan keeps her as beneficiary. Filing new designations on both accounts after the divorce avoids the mismatch.
Sources
Every rule on this page is from Vanguard’s own forms, agreements and plan documents, read September 24 and 25, 2026 for our beneficiary designation rules dataset, where each quotation is listed with its source, form number, revision date and page. Firms revise their forms; confirm the current version with Vanguard.
Updated on September 28, 2026. Reviewed by Kevin D. Klagge, Esq., Fla. Bar No. 99502. Attorney Kevin Klagge represents families, businesses, and international clients in estate and tax planning, business structuring, and international law, with a focus on Florida legal tools. He litigates estate and business issues in court. StepUpLaw is not affiliated with The Vanguard Group, and the quotations are from its own published documents. General information, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Do not send confidential information until we have agreed to represent you.
More Guides on Florida Estate Planning
This guide is part of Florida Estate Planning.
- Payable on Death (POD) Account Rules
- Annuity and Life Insurance Beneficiary Rules
- IRA Beneficiary Designation Rules
- 401(k), 403(b) and TSP Beneficiary Rules
- Transfer on Death (TOD) Beneficiary Rules
- Fidelity TOD Account
- Chase Payable on Death (POD) Account
- Bank of America Payable on Death (POD) Account
Try the Which Estate Plan Do I Need? (quiz).