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Question

What happens to a QLAC when you die?

Answer

That depends on the elections you make. A single-life annuity stops at your death, though a cash-refund option can return the remaining premium to your beneficiary. A joint-life annuity continues to a surviving spouse. If you elect a set period, the beneficiary receives the remaining years of payments. Cash-refund payments are treated as a full RMD in the year of receipt.

Related FAQs

What is a QLAC?

Should I buy a QLAC?

What happens to a QLAC when you die?
Retirement Financial Planning Retirement Planning Annuities Living in Retirement Tax Basics Cash Flow Management Investors FAQs
Last Updated Oct. 14, 2026
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