Under the LLQP Segregated Funds and Annuities curriculum, beneficiary designations in insurance contracts—such as IVICs (segregated fund contracts)—follow strict contractual and legal rules. The key elements in this scenario are the irrevocable beneficiary designation, the presence of a contingent beneficiary, and the order of entitlement upon death.
Fiona named her brother Gerald as an irrevocable beneficiary. An irrevocable beneficiary has strong rights while alive, including restrictions on the policyholder’s ability to make changes without consent. However, those rights end upon the beneficiary’s death. Once Gerald died, his irrevocable beneficiary status ceased to exist. Importantly, irrevocable beneficiary rights do not pass to the beneficiary’s estate unless the contract specifically states otherwise, which is not indicated here. Therefore, Option A is incorrect.
Fiona also named her niece Ivy as contingent beneficiary. According to LLQP principles, a contingent beneficiary is entitled to the proceeds if the primary beneficiary predeceases the contract owner. That is exactly what occurred: Gerald died before Fiona. As a result, upon Fiona’s death, the contract proceeds are payable directly to Ivy. This payment bypasses Fiona’s estate and is governed solely by the beneficiary designation in the IVIC.
Option C is incorrect because divorce does not create an automatic entitlement to insurance proceeds. Andrew’s status as beneficiary on a separate life insurance policy has no legal impact on the IVIC. There is no automatic financial duty that would override a valid beneficiary designation in an insurance contract.
Option D is also incorrect. The existence of a valid contingent beneficiary means the proceeds do not revert to the estate, even though Fiona did not update the designation after Gerald’s death. The LLQP study guide clearly states that proceeds go to the contingent beneficiary when the primary beneficiary has predeceased the policyholder.
Therefore, in accordance with LLQP Segregated Funds and Annuities rules, the IVIC proceeds are payable to Ivy, making Option B the correct and fully verified answer.
