Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Are social security numbers of beneficiaries of IRAs LEGALLY required?

I believe it is a GROSS invasion of privacy for any administrator of retirement benefits to require the beneficiaries' social security numbers. Since beneficiaries would not receive any distribution unless I were to die and be unable to cash out my own IRA, I cannot see how this is a legal requirement. It seems to me that it would only become a legal requirement WHEN and IF I died, and the named beneficiaries would receive distributions. At that point, it would be up to them to give their SSN.

The above makes rational sense to me (as well as making sense ethically, morally, and legally). However, I'm well aware of just how convoluted our laws have become (and how corporations continue to get away with chipping away at our privacy rights).

Can someone tell me if this is a LEGAL requirement, and if so, provide me with the code?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. Altho' you're making me choose a state, I doubt this has to do w/state law. Also, I wasn't sure what branch of law to choose.


Asked on 1/29/10, 5:28 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michele Cusack Pollak & Cusack

I don't know if it's a legal requirement, but the reason for it is probably to precisely identify the beneficiary. Many people have common names. (have you ever tried friending your pal Steve Hill on FB, for example?)

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Answered on 2/03/10, 5:38 pm


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