Client has 2 annuities. One in his name and the other in his spouse name. They are designated as beneficiary in each other’s policy. Client passed away in 2013. The surviving spouse became the owner of both policies. The beneficiary designation in one policy was changed to Family trust. In the other policy, surviving spouse ddinot designate a beneficiary removing her husband’s name. There is no beneficiary or contingent beneficiary in that policy.

The spouse passed away in Oct 2015. One policy has no beneficiary listed and the other policy has the trust as beneficiary. To whom shd the insurance company make the payments? Should it be the trust for one policy and estate of deceased for another policy since there is no primary or contingent beneficiary in the second policy? please advise.

One policy has 9 monthly payments left and the other one has 1 payment left to be made at the time of death.