When can the beneficiary be changed in a life insurance policy?

The best answer is C, but the technically precise rule is that the policyowner may usually change a revocable beneficiary at any time during the policy term. Many exam questions use “insured” loosely, assuming the insured is also the policyowner. In real contract analysis, that assumption is not always safe. If the insured and policyowner are different people, the ownership right belongs to the policyowner, not automatically to the insured. A revocable beneficiary has no vested right while the insured is alive and cannot control the policyowner’s change decision. That makes option A wrong. Option B is wrong because beneficiaries are commonly changed after issue unless the designation is irrevocable or otherwise contractually restricted. Option D is wrong because insurers generally do not set arbitrary change windows; they process valid change requests according to policy procedures. The controlling distinction is revocable versus irrevocable beneficiary. A revocable beneficiary can usually be changed; an irrevocable beneficiary generally cannot be changed without that beneficiary’s consent. Reference topics: Beneficiary Designations, Revocable Beneficiary, Irrevocable Beneficiary, Policyowner Rights.