What is a dependent? What is a beneficiary?

Owned by Rachel Howcroft
Last updated: Feb 22, 2023 by Adrienne Peabody (Deactivated)
1 min read
  • When you add a dependent, you will be asked if you want to use your new dependent as a beneficiary.
  • A beneficiary can be a person or a legal entity that is designated by you to receive a benefit, such as life insurance.
  • A dependent is the following.
    • A spouse to whom you are legally married.
    • A dependent child under the age of 26. 


For example, if you will be including your spouse in your medical coverage and designating him or her as
a recipient of your life insurance, then your spouse is both a dependent and a beneficiary. The person or
entity that you designate as a beneficiary, however, may or may not be an eligible dependent. For
example, a parent is not an eligible dependent for medical coverage and can only be designated as a
beneficiary.