It can be as simple as who’s in line. A primary beneficiary receives the death benefit money when the insured dies. A primary beneficiary is required. A secondary beneficiary, also known as the successor beneficiary, receives the death benefit money if there are no living primary beneficiaries when the insured dies. A secondary beneficiary is optional. Please note that you cannot have the same beneficiary as a primary and a successor. Also, if an estate is listed as the primary, a secondary is not allowed.