Insurance Exam Practice

What is the key difference between a revocable and irrevocable beneficiary?

Life Insurance practice question · 2 posts · last activity Oct 8, 2026

  1. A.An irrevocable beneficiary usually must consent to certain beneficiary changes Correct answer
  2. B.An irrevocable beneficiary may be changed by the policyowner at any time without notice
  3. C.A revocable beneficiary usually must consent before the policy can be assigned or loaned against
  4. D.An irrevocable beneficiary becomes the policyowner once the designation is made

Explanation

A revocable beneficiary can usually be changed by the policyowner. An irrevocable beneficiary generally has rights that require consent for certain changes.

What learners picked (810 answers):
A: 72%B: 11%C: 11%D: 6%

Discussion (2)

ElieThinks the answer is D

Both A) & D) are correct.
Approval from the Irrevocable beneficiary is required to make changes; and the beneficiary becomes the owner of the policy.

Insurance Exam PracticeStaff

Good question, and the distinction matters on the exam. A is the only correct answer. Naming an irrevocable beneficiary does not transfer ownership. The policyowner keeps the policy, pays the premiums and holds the ownership rights; what changes is that the owner can no longer change the beneficiary, assign the policy, or take a loan or surrender that cuts into the death benefit without that beneficiary's written consent. The beneficiary gets a vested interest in the proceeds, not the policy itself. If ownership actually passed, the exam would call that an absolute assignment or a transfer of ownership, which is a separate action.

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