Icahn Enterprises Employees: The Overlooked Retirement Mistake That Could Cost Your Family

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Icahn Enterprises: Icahn Enterprises typically collaborates with various insurance providers to facilitate healthcare coverage for its employees. While the specific provider may vary based on employee location and plan selections, large U.S. employers like Icahn Enterprises often work with major health insurance companies including UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Aetna. It's advisable for employees to check with their HR department for the most current provider details and plan options. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026: As we look ahead to 2026, Icahn Enterprises employees must prepare for significant healthcare cost increases, which could impose a heavier financial burden on many households. A combination of surging healthcare premiums-potentially exceeding 60% in some areas-and the expiration of federal premium subsidies will likely push out-of-pocket costs much higher. Employers, facing their own rising expenses, may also shift more healthcare costs onto employees through increased deductibles and reduced coverage options. Consequently, it is essential for employees to carefully evaluate their benefits and explore strategies to mitigate the financial impact of these changes. Click here to learn more

'Icahn Enterprises employees should treat beneficiary updates as a critical part of their retirement checklist, since even the strongest savings strategy can fall short if outdated forms send assets to unintended recipients.' — Michael Corgiat, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'For Icahn Enterprises employees, keeping 401(k) and IRA beneficiary forms current is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to help preserve your estate intentions and reduce complications for your loved ones.' — Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article, we will discuss:

1. The importance of keeping your 401(k) and IRA beneficiary designations current.

2. Common mistakes employees make with beneficiary designations.

3. How regular reviews can help align your estate and retirement plans.

The Value of Keeping Your 401(k) and IRA Beneficiary Forms Up to Date

by Tyson Mavar, CFP®, Wealth Enhancement

Many Icahn Enterprises employees focus on building their retirement savings but may overlook one crucial detail—updating their 401(k) and IRA beneficiary forms. After finalizing a will, it’s easy to think your estate plan is complete. However, these beneficiary documents—not your will—determine who receives your retirement assets.

In most cases, the beneficiary designations take precedence over your will’s instructions. That means your 401(k) or IRA funds are distributed based on the most recent forms filed with your plan administrator. Outdated or incomplete beneficiary information can lead to costly and irreversible outcomes after death.

Why This Matters for Icahn Enterprises Employees

The beneficiary listed on your retirement plan will receive those funds directly, regardless of what your will says. This could unintentionally exclude newer family members or benefit someone you no longer wish to include. Regularly reviewing your Icahn Enterprises 401(k) and any linked IRA accounts after major life events—such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child—helps keep your intentions consistent with your current situation.

Common Beneficiary Mistakes

Naming the estate as beneficiary
According to IRS regulations, naming your estate creates a “non-designated beneficiary.” This limits distribution options and could eliminate certain tax advantages, like the spousal rollover or 10-year payout rule.

Leaving out contingent beneficiaries
Always list both primary and contingent beneficiaries. This allows for flexibility if the primary beneficiary predeceases you or declines the inheritance, preserving potential tax efficiencies for your family.

Not updating after a rollover or transfer
When you move funds—such as rolling your Icahn Enterprises 401(k) into an IRA—new beneficiary forms are required. Each account keeps its own beneficiary record, and old designations do not automatically transfer.

Overlooking spousal rights
Under federal law, a spouse is typically the default beneficiary of a 401(k). To name another beneficiary, your spouse must sign a formal waiver. This rule applies to most corporate retirement plans, including those at large employers.

Ignoring beneficiary updates after divorce
For ERISA-governed plans like 401(k)s, plan administrators must follow the designation on file even if a divorce decree states otherwise. Some states automatically revoke an ex-spouse’s designation for IRAs, but federal plans do not.

Failing to coordinate with trusts
If a trust is meant to manage your retirement assets, it must be correctly named as a beneficiary and meet IRS “see-through” rules. Otherwise, your trust may lose intended tax and estate planning advantages.

The Value of Regular Review

Even a well-organized estate plan can be undermined by outdated beneficiary forms. Periodically confirming your Icahn Enterprises retirement account designations can help align your estate intentions and reduce future tax complications.

At  The Retirement Group , we work with Icahn Enterprises employees to coordinate estate, trust, and retirement planning strategies.
To review your beneficiary designations and retirement plan coordination, call us at  (800) 900-5867 .

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Sources:

1. IRS —  Publication 590-B: Distributions from IRAs (2024)  Author: Internal Revenue Service. Create date: 2024 edition. Pages referenced: pp. 8–10.

2. GAO —  Retirement Security: DOL Could Better Inform Divorcing Parties about Dividing Savings  (GAO-20-541) Author: U.S. Government Accountability Office. Create date: July 31, 2020. Pages referenced: p. 1 (highlights), pp. 5–6 (QDRO overview), p. 10 (spousal/survivor & default to spouse in DC plans), pp. 12, 15–16, 32 (process & pitfalls).