Yes! You can use AI to fill out Principal Life Insurance Company UCTIE INTERNATIONAL UNION 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN Enrollment Form

The enrollment form asks you to contribute either a percentage OR a dollar amount. A common error is filling in both fields, creating ambiguity for the plan administrator. This can lead to your enrollment being delayed or processed using a default interpretation you did not intend. To avoid this, decide on one method—percentage is most common as it automatically adjusts with pay changes—and fill in only that corresponding field. AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can prevent this by enforcing 'either/or' rules during data entry.

When choosing the 'Build my own portfolio' option, the sum of percentages allocated to different funds must equal exactly 100%. People often make simple math errors, or leave the total slightly above or below 100%. If the total is incorrect, your investment election will be rejected, and your contributions will be placed in the plan's Qualified Default Investment Alternative (QDIA), which may not align with your risk tolerance. Always double-check your math before submitting the form. Smart form-filling tools can automatically calculate the total as you enter percentages, ensuring it equals 100%.

If you are married and wish to name someone other than your spouse as the sole primary beneficiary, federal law requires your spouse to formally consent. This involves your spouse signing the beneficiary form in the presence of a notary or plan representative. Failing to obtain this witnessed signature will invalidate your beneficiary designation, and upon your death, the entire account balance will legally go to your spouse, regardless of your wishes. Always ensure you complete 'Choice C' on the beneficiary form correctly if this applies to you.

The enrollment form presents two distinct investment paths: 'Choice A: Quick Option' and 'Choice B: Build my own portfolio'. A frequent mistake is to check the box for Choice A and also start filling out percentages in Choice B. This contradiction forces the plan administrator to guess your intent, and they will typically default to the 'Quick Option' (the QDIA). To avoid this, carefully select only one path that matches your investment strategy. If you want to pick your own funds, ignore Choice A completely.

The rollover form requires a detailed breakdown of pre-tax, Roth, and other after-tax funds from your previous plan. Many people guess these amounts or leave them blank because they don't have the information handy. Incorrectly classifying funds can have significant tax consequences, potentially leading to improper taxation or compliance issues. Before filling out this section, contact your previous plan administrator to get an accurate statement detailing the composition of your account. This ensures your funds are rolled over and tracked correctly for tax purposes.

Submitting an unsigned or undated enrollment, rollover, or beneficiary form is one of the most common and easily avoidable mistakes. An unsigned form is legally invalid and cannot be processed. This will delay your plan enrollment, investment choices, or beneficiary designation, potentially causing you to miss out on investment growth or employer matches. Always perform a final check for your signature and the current date in all required fields before submitting. AI tools like Instafill.ai can highlight required signature fields to ensure they are not missed.

While it's common to name children as beneficiaries, listing a minor directly can create legal hurdles. If the minor inherits the funds, a court may need to appoint a legal guardian to manage the money until they reach adulthood, which is a costly and time-consuming process. The form's instructions suggest naming an adult custodian for the minor under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA). This allows the named custodian to manage the funds on the minor's behalf without court intervention, ensuring your wishes are carried out smoothly.

Using general terms like 'my children' or failing to provide a beneficiary's full name, Social Security Number, and date of birth can cause significant problems. Vague language can lead to legal disputes, especially in blended families, and missing information makes it difficult for the plan administrator to locate and verify the beneficiary. Always list each beneficiary by their full legal name and provide all requested details to ensure your assets are distributed quickly and according to your exact wishes.

The optional 'Annual Increase' feature is a great tool for boosting savings, but it's often filled out incompletely. People may check the box but forget to specify the percentage/dollar increase, the number of years for the increase to occur, or the annual date for the change. An incomplete election cannot be processed, and you will miss out on the opportunity to automatically grow your savings rate over time. If you opt-in, be sure to fill out every single field in this section carefully.

The personal information section asks for termination and rehire dates if you have previously worked for the employer. Employees often overlook this, assuming their original hire date is sufficient. These dates are critical for correctly calculating vesting service and plan eligibility, as breaks in service can impact your rights to employer contributions. If you are a rehired employee, be sure to find and accurately enter both your termination and rehire dates to ensure your plan benefits are calculated correctly. Since this form is a non-fillable PDF, a tool like Instafill.ai can convert it into a fillable version, making it easier to enter all necessary information accurately.