Joint account holders vs beneficiaries
Understand the differences.
What is the difference between a joint account holder and a beneficiary?
A joint account holder shares the account with the primary account holder. Joint account holders have the same rights and access to an account as the primary account holder. A joint account holder can designate beneficiaries to the account without authorization from the primary account holder.
A beneficiary has no rights or access to your accounts. Beneficiaries can only receive the money in your accounts in the event of your passing.
Beneficiaries can become joint account holders if you would like them to have access to your money before you pass. If your account already has a joint account holder, you do not need to designate them as a beneficiary.
More key differences between joint account holders and beneficiaries
| Joint account holders | Beneficiaries | |
|---|---|---|
| Do they currently have access to my account? | Yes, they have equal access and rights to your account. | No, unless they are also joint account holders on your accounts. |
| What happens upon my passing? | They have full ownership of the available money in the account.1 | If there are no joint account holders, the money is divided equally among all beneficiaries. |
| Do they have to be UNFCU members? | No. To keep the money at UNFCU upon your passing, they will need to become a member if they are eligible to join.2 | No, but the transfer of wealth is easier if eligible2 family members become UNFCU members. |
| How many can I add to my account? | Only one person per account. | Up to five beneficiaries per account.3 This includes people, trusts, and organizations. |
Further learning
Learn more about the benefits of designating beneficiaries on your accounts.
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