What Is A Secondary Beneficiary For Life Insurance? 
The primary beneficiary named by the policy owner receives life insurance proceeds when the insured dies . It is a good idea to also name a contingent -LRB- back up or secondary -RRB- beneficiary and review the policy every three years with a life insurance professional . Over time things may change e.g. beneficiaries sometimes predecease the insured . If there is no named , living beneficiary of the life insurance policy when the insured dies , and no contingent -LRB- secondary -RRB- beneficiary , the proceeds are paid to the estate . It is not an ideal outcome since this subjects the proceeds to probate which would not have occurred if there was a beneficiary . 