Yes! You can use AI to fill out Empower Enrollment Form

A frequent error is allocating percentages that do not sum to exactly 100% for each beneficiary group. The total for all primary beneficiaries must equal 100%, and separately, the total for all contingent beneficiaries must also equal 100%. An incorrect total will cause the form to be rejected, delaying account setup and requiring correction, and could lead to legal disputes over asset distribution. Always double-check your math before submitting the form.

People often meticulously name primary beneficiaries but leave the contingent section blank, assuming it's unnecessary. However, if your primary beneficiary predeceases you or disclaims the inheritance, having no contingent beneficiary means your assets will likely go through the lengthy and public probate court process. To avoid this, always designate at least one contingent (backup) beneficiary to ensure your assets are distributed quickly and according to your wishes.

Instead of providing a full legal name, people sometimes write ambiguous terms like 'my spouse' or 'my children'. This creates significant legal risks, as it's unclear who qualifies (e.g., does 'children' include stepchildren or those born after the form was signed?). Such ambiguity can lead to family disputes and legal challenges, delaying the distribution of assets. Always use the beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security Number for absolute clarity.

Beneficiary designations often become outdated after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the death of a named beneficiary. Forgetting to update the form is a critical mistake that can result in assets being paid to an unintended person, like an ex-spouse. It is crucial to review and update your beneficiary designations annually and immediately following any significant life change to ensure they reflect your current wishes.

Forms require specific details like a beneficiary's Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, and current address to ensure proper identification. Omitting this information forces the financial institution to conduct a time-consuming search, which can severely delay the payment of benefits. Before filling out the form, gather all necessary information for each beneficiary. AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can help prevent this by flagging mandatory fields that have been left blank.

While well-intentioned, naming a minor child as a direct beneficiary can create legal and financial hurdles. Minors cannot legally own or manage financial assets, which means a court must appoint a legal guardian to oversee the funds until the child reaches adulthood, a process that can be costly and complex. A better approach is to establish a trust for the minor or name a custodian under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) on the form.

Users sometimes misunderstand the hierarchy, listing the same person as both a primary and contingent beneficiary or splitting percentages between the two groups. Primary beneficiaries are first in line to inherit; contingent beneficiaries only inherit if all primary beneficiaries are no longer eligible. This confusion can invalidate your intentions, so ensure you clearly list your first choices as 'Primary' and your backup choices as 'Contingent'.

An unsigned or undated beneficiary designation form is legally invalid. This simple oversight means your instructions will be ignored, and the financial institution will distribute assets based on a prior valid form or its default rules, which may not align with your wishes. Always perform a final check to ensure you have signed and dated the form in the required fields before submission.

When a form is only available as a non-fillable document, poor or rushed handwriting can cause significant data entry errors. Misspelled names or incorrect Social Security Numbers can make it nearly impossible to locate and verify a beneficiary, leading to extreme delays. To prevent this, print clearly in capital letters or use a service like Instafill.ai, which can convert a flat PDF into an easily fillable digital form, ensuring all entries are legible.

When naming a trust as a beneficiary, people often just write the informal name of the trust, such as 'The Smith Family Trust'. For the designation to be valid, you must use the full, formal name of the trust as stated in the legal trust documents, along with the date the trust was created and the trustee's name and contact information. Failure to provide these precise details can lead to rejection of the form or significant legal complications for the trustee.