Coordinating Retirement Accounts With Your Estate Plan in Massachusetts

Many Massachusetts residents focus their estate planning on wills and trusts but overlook one of the most significant components of their overall estate—retirement accounts. IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and other tax-deferred plans often represent a substantial portion of a person’s wealth. When these accounts are not properly coordinated with an estate plan, families may face unintended tax burdens, probate complications, or disputes among beneficiaries. At The Sullivan Firm P.C., we help clients in Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester By The Sea, Beverly, and throughout Essex County align their retirement assets with their broader estate planning goals. Thoughtful coordination ensures that your savings pass efficiently, legally, and with minimized taxation.

Understanding How Retirement Accounts Are Treated Under Massachusetts Law

Retirement accounts are treated differently from traditional probate assets. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 190B, only assets owned individually without a beneficiary designation are subject to probate. Most retirement plans, however, pass by contract—meaning the funds go directly to the named beneficiaries rather than through a will. While this avoids probate, it also means your estate plan must integrate these accounts to ensure consistency and avoid conflicts between your will, trust, and beneficiary designations.

For example, a will may leave your estate equally to your children, but if your 401(k) lists only one child as a beneficiary, that account will not follow the terms of the will. Coordinating these elements is critical to maintaining balance and fairness among heirs.

The Importance Of Beneficiary Designations

Under federal law, most retirement accounts—particularly employer-sponsored plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)—must pass to the named beneficiaries. In Massachusetts, these beneficiary designations supersede your will or trust instructions. If no beneficiary is listed, or if the named person has died, the account may revert to your estate and become subject to probate and taxation.

Reviewing and updating beneficiary designations regularly is essential. We recommend revisiting these designations every few years or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or death of a loved one. Failing to update these forms can have costly consequences. For example, Massachusetts law does not automatically revoke a former spouse as a beneficiary upon divorce unless specifically stated in the plan documents or by court order under M.G.L. c.208 §34A.

Using A Trust As A Retirement Account Beneficiary

Many clients choose to name a trust as the beneficiary of their retirement accounts to ensure greater control over how funds are distributed. This is particularly useful when leaving assets to minor children, individuals with special needs, or beneficiaries who may not manage large sums responsibly. However, special care must be taken to structure the trust properly under the Massachusetts Uniform Trust Code (M.G.L. c.203E) and to comply with federal tax rules under the Internal Revenue Code.

A properly drafted “see-through” trust can qualify for favorable tax treatment, allowing beneficiaries to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) based on their life expectancy. Improper drafting, however, can trigger immediate taxation, requiring the full balance to be distributed within a short timeframe and eliminating years of tax-deferred growth. Our firm works closely with clients and financial advisors to ensure these trusts meet both state and federal standards.

Required Minimum Distributions And Estate Planning Implications

Under federal law, retirement account holders must begin taking RMDs at age 73 (or age 75 depending on birth year, under the SECURE 2.0 Act). These withdrawals are treated as taxable income. If your estate plan involves multiple beneficiaries, it’s important to understand how these distributions affect each individual’s tax situation.

Massachusetts also imposes a state income tax on retirement distributions for residents, which can add complexity to estate planning for retirees living along the North Shore. Proper structuring of trusts and beneficiary designations can help minimize the combined impact of federal and state taxes.

Coordinating Retirement Accounts With Your Trust-Based Estate Plan

A revocable living trust created under M.G.L. c.203E §602 can hold many types of assets, but most retirement accounts should remain in your individual name during your lifetime to preserve their tax-deferred status. Instead of transferring ownership, we typically coordinate the trust by naming it as a contingent or primary beneficiary. This ensures continuity between your retirement plan and your broader estate plan.

For example, if both you and your spouse pass away, your retirement account could transfer to a family trust benefiting your children while still providing tax advantages. This structure also allows your successor trustee to manage the funds responsibly and distribute them over time.

Common Mistakes Massachusetts Families Should Avoid

Failing To Update Beneficiary Designations: Outdated or missing designations can cause accounts to pass to unintended recipients or through probate.
Naming The Estate As Beneficiary: This triggers immediate taxation and requires probate under Chapter 190B.
Ignoring Tax Consequences: Distributions from inherited IRAs are taxable income to beneficiaries. Coordinating your plan helps minimize their tax burden.
Overlooking Spousal Rights: Federal and Massachusetts law protect spouses’ interests in employer-sponsored plans. You may need written consent to name another beneficiary.
Mismatching Trust Terms And Tax Rules: Poorly written trusts can eliminate favorable “stretch IRA” benefits, accelerating taxation.

Blended Families And Complex Beneficiary Situations

Many families in Gloucester, Rockport, and Beverly have blended households or second marriages. These situations require special planning to balance fairness among spouses, stepchildren, and biological children. For instance, a retirement account may name a current spouse as primary beneficiary while directing remaining funds at their death to children from a prior marriage. Properly coordinated trusts can achieve this without conflict or unintended disinheritance.

Working With Financial Institutions And Plan Administrators

Massachusetts residents often hold multiple retirement accounts with different providers—employer plans, personal IRAs, or rollover accounts. Each institution has its own beneficiary form and administrative process. We assist clients in reviewing all accounts to ensure uniformity across documents. Consistency is key; your will, trust, and designations must all align to prevent confusion and legal disputes.

The Role Of Roth Accounts In Estate Planning

Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s offer unique estate planning advantages. Because qualified distributions are tax-free, they can pass to heirs without generating income tax liability. However, these accounts are still subject to distribution rules after death. Properly naming beneficiaries and incorporating the accounts into your estate plan ensures your heirs continue to benefit from tax-free growth.

Keeping Your Estate Plan Current

Estate planning is a lifelong process. Retirement accounts change, tax laws evolve, and your personal goals may shift. The Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (M.G.L. c.190B §2-804) allows for the modification of wills and trusts, but beneficiary designations must be updated directly with the financial institutions that hold your accounts. We advise reviewing your entire plan every three to five years to maintain compliance and effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coordinating Retirement Accounts With Your Estate Plan

How Do Retirement Accounts Avoid Probate In Massachusetts?
Most retirement accounts pass directly to the named beneficiaries and do not go through probate under M.G.L. c.190B. This is because these accounts are contractual assets, meaning the provider transfers the funds according to the beneficiary designation rather than through your will.

Can I Name My Trust As The Beneficiary Of My IRA?
Yes, but it must be carefully structured under the Massachusetts Uniform Trust Code (M.G.L. c.203E) and federal tax rules. A properly drafted “see-through” trust can preserve tax-deferred growth for your beneficiaries. Improper drafting could trigger full taxation at death.

What Happens If I Forget To Update My Beneficiaries After A Divorce?
If you fail to update your retirement account beneficiary designations, your ex-spouse could still inherit the account. Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c.208 §34A) does not automatically revoke beneficiary rights after divorce unless specifically stated in the plan documents or ordered by the court.

Should I Transfer My Retirement Account Into My Trust?
Generally, no. Transferring ownership during your lifetime could create immediate tax consequences. Instead, name your revocable trust as a beneficiary if you want the funds to be controlled under the trust terms after your death.

Are Inherited IRAs Taxable In Massachusetts?
Yes. Beneficiaries must pay federal income tax on distributions from inherited traditional IRAs, and Massachusetts taxes these distributions as income for residents. Coordinating your estate plan can reduce the tax impact through careful structuring of distributions.

Can My Spouse Automatically Inherit My 401(k)?
Under federal ERISA law, your spouse is typically the default beneficiary of an employer-sponsored retirement plan. To name someone else, your spouse must provide written consent. Massachusetts follows these federal standards.

How Often Should I Review My Retirement Accounts?
You should review your beneficiary designations every three to five years or after major life events—marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or death of a loved one. Regular review ensures your accounts remain consistent with your estate plan.

Can Retirement Accounts Be Distributed Unequally Among Children?
Yes. You can assign different percentages to each child or direct funds through a trust to provide equal or conditional distributions. The key is to ensure the designations match your intentions and that your trust or will reflects the same terms.

How Do The SECURE Act And SECURE 2.0 Affect My Estate Plan?
The SECURE Act eliminated the lifetime “stretch IRA” for most beneficiaries, requiring most inherited IRAs to be distributed within 10 years. SECURE 2.0 made further adjustments to RMD ages. We help clients adjust their plans to comply with these federal changes while minimizing taxes under Massachusetts law.

What Happens If No Beneficiary Is Listed On My Retirement Account?
If no beneficiary is designated, the account usually reverts to your estate, triggering probate and potential tax acceleration. It’s important to ensure every account has an up-to-date beneficiary designation consistent with your estate plan.

Call The Sullivan Firm P.C. Today

At The Sullivan Firm P.C., we understand how vital retirement assets are to your financial legacy. We help families throughout Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester By The Sea, Beverly, and Essex County coordinate retirement accounts with comprehensive estate plans that meet all Massachusetts legal requirements.

Call The Sullivan Firm P.C. today at 978-325-2721 for a free consultation. Our Gloucester office proudly serves clients across the North Shore. Let us help you protect your savings, reduce taxes, and ensure your family’s financial security.