Which type of beneficiary cannot be changed, assigned, transferred, or surrendered by the policyowner without written consent of the beneficiary?

Which type of beneficiary cannot be changed, assigned, transferred, or surrendered by the policyowner without written consent of the beneficiary?

• A. Revocable Beneficiary
• B. Contingent Beneficiary
• C. Primary Beneficiary
• D. Irrevocable Beneficiary

Answer: (D)

In life insurance, some beneficiary designations are revocable, while others are irrevocable. The key idea is who has control to change or take actions tied to the benefit. When a beneficiary is irrevocable, the policyowner cannot change, transfer, assign, or surrender the policy’s death benefit without obtaining written consent from that beneficiary. This creates a protective right for the beneficiary, ensuring their future claim can’t be overridden unilaterally by the policyowner. That’s why the irrevocable beneficiary is the best choice here. The stipulation in the question—no changes or surrender without the beneficiary’s written consent—matches exactly how an irrevocable designation operates. The other types can be changed or re-designated by the policyowner without requiring the beneficiary’s consent, so they don’t fit the scenario described.

In life insurance, some beneficiary designations are revocable, while others are irrevocable. The key idea is who has control to change or take actions tied to the benefit. When a beneficiary is irrevocable, the policyowner cannot change, transfer, assign, or surrender the policy’s death benefit without obtaining written consent from that beneficiary. This creates a protective right for the beneficiary, ensuring their future claim can’t be overridden unilaterally by the policyowner.

That’s why the irrevocable beneficiary is the best choice here. The stipulation in the question—no changes or surrender without the beneficiary’s written consent—matches exactly how an irrevocable designation operates. The other types can be changed or re-designated by the policyowner without requiring the beneficiary’s consent, so they don’t fit the scenario described.