Yes. A secondary, or contingent, beneficiary receives the death benefit if your primary beneficiary dies before you or can’t receive it. You can name more than one beneficiary at each level and set each person’s share. To add one, you send the insurer a signed beneficiary change, unless your current beneficiary is irrevocable, in which case you’ll need their consent too.
Can I add a secondary beneficiary to my life insurance policy?
Reviewed by Garrett Agencies Ltd., October 2026. How we write
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