No beneficiary on 457 plan?

Question

I've heard that with no beneficiary specifically listed that this will not automatically go to the spouse. Is this correct?

Answer 1

It shouldn't be possible for this to occur. The employer should not permit it. The answer is otherwise, "maybe." Technically, without a beneficiary it may escheat to the state. A wife is entitled to pension benefits at death, but it should never happen that no beneficiary could be listed.

My opinion is that it should pass to the wife, but a court may have to intervene to get to it.