Understanding Who Should Be Beneficiary of Your IRA
How to Turn a Modest Tax-Deferred Account Into Millions For Your Family
(includes IRAs, 401(k)s, pensions, profit sharing and other qualified plans)
6. Option 1: Spouse
Most married people name their spouse as beneficiary. That's because 1) the money will be available to provide for the surviving spouse and 2) the spousal rollover option can provide many more years of tax-deferred growth.
Also, if your spouse is more than ten years younger than you are, you can use a different life expectancy chart that makes your required distributions even less. (This lets the tax-deferred growth continue longer on more money.)