TIAA Beneficiary not mentioned in will?

[Anette]

When a TIAA beneficiary is not at all mentioned or listed in the will is that normal procedure? And mainly will there be a problem inheriting the TIAA?
I realize this is a legal question but I am having difficulty finding answers on the internet and as I am in Europe lawyers here are not able to answer the question.
The person with the will is of the opinion the TIAA and beneficiaries do not have to be listed.
Any advice is welcome

[AMandM]

When DH and I drew up our wills, the lawyer told us to make sure we had beneficiaries named on all our bank accounts and retirement accounts, precisely because ownership of those passes directly to the beneficiary/ies outside the probate process. Those accounts are not part of the estate; the beneficiaries do not, legally speaking, inherit them.

[reeshau]

Yes, the designated beneficiaries of the accounts take precedent.  (I am not a lawyer)

Even if the will named someone else, the beneficiary gets the account.

There are horror stories here where ex-spouses remain named beneficiaries, and get accounts in preference to current family or wishes spelled out in a will.

https://www.bjflaw.com/ex-spouse-does-not-mean-ex-beneficiary

[Anette]

Thank you so much for both of your answers. Very helpful and a relief as DH is not mentioned in the will...Happy Thanksgiving!