Can I name a foreign national or someone living abroad as my life insurance beneficiary?

Yes — you can name a non-U.S. citizen or someone living outside the United States as a life insurance beneficiary. The death benefit can be paid to a beneficiary regardless of their nationality or country of residence.

Claiming the benefit from abroad: the beneficiary must provide documentation to support the claim — typically an apostille-certified death certificate and identity documentation. Some countries have treaty-based processes for authenticating documents. The beneficiary may need assistance from the local U.S. embassy or a Nevada attorney.

Payment methods: transferring large sums internationally involves compliance with OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) regulations — payments cannot be made to residents of certain sanctioned countries. For beneficiaries in non-sanctioned countries, international wire transfer is the most common payment method.

Tax implications for foreign beneficiaries: foreign beneficiaries may face withholding tax obligations under U.S. tax law, though the specifics depend on the beneficiary's country of residence and any applicable tax treaty. The death benefit itself is not U.S. income for a U.S. tax purpose — but foreign tax implications vary. Consult a tax advisor for guidance.

Nevada policyholders with family abroad — including Nevada's large immigrant community — can name international beneficiaries. Include complete identification information (full legal name, address, passport number) in the designation. Agents in our network can help ensure the designation is properly documented.