What is PBGC Form 711 used for?
Form 711 changes the beneficiary for certain-and-continuous (C&C) annuity benefits after you are receiving payments. It is not the form for general money-owed-at-death beneficiary designations.
Document Guides
PBGC Form 711: Spousal Consent & Notary Requirements
Form 711 is for changing the beneficiary of a PBGC certain-and-continuous annuity—not for money owed at death. When you were married at benefit start, your spouse's written, notarized consent is usually required.
iRemoteNotary Editorial Team
Published and reviewed by iRemoteNotary
Last reviewed September 20, 2026
Quick Answer
When does PBGC Form 711 require a spouse's notarized consent?
PBGC Form 711 changes the beneficiary for a certain-and-continuous (C&C) annuity after benefits have started. If you were married when you started receiving benefits, your current spouse must generally provide written consent that is notarized by a notary public—unless a form exception applies.
Form 711 is not the same as PBGC Form 707 or Form 708, which designate who receives money PBGC may owe at your death. If your spouse does not consent on Form 711, your existing C&C beneficiary designation stays unchanged.
PBGC uses different forms for different beneficiary jobs. Survivor benefits under a certain-and-continuous annuity, money owed at death, and joint-and-survivor elections should not be treated as one interchangeable designation.
This page covers Form 711 spousal consent and notarization mechanics only—not which beneficiary to choose. For other pension and retirement signing questions, use the Retirement, 401(k), TSP & Pension Notary Document Center.
What PBGC Form 711 Is For
PBGC Form 711 is titled Change of Beneficiary for Certain & Continuous (C&C) Benefits Only. It lets a participant who is receiving a certain-and-continuous annuity name or change the person who will receive benefits that continue after the participant's death, along with any additional money owed under that annuity structure.
PBGC's beneficiary guidance distinguishes survivor beneficiaries tied to annuity elections from beneficiaries for money owed at death. Form 711 belongs to the C&C survivor-beneficiary change path—not to every PBGC beneficiary transaction.
Form 711 Is Not Form 707 or Form 708
Do not use Form 711 when the goal is only to name who receives outstanding payments PBGC may owe at death, such as missed checks or underpayments after benefits stop.
| PBGC form | Primary purpose | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| Form 711 | Change C&C survivor beneficiary after benefits started | Certain-and-continuous annuity; married participants may need spousal consent |
| Form 707 | Designation of beneficiary for benefits owed at death | Currently receiving PBGC pension payments |
| Form 708 | Designation of beneficiary (not currently receiving benefits) | Not yet receiving payments; money-owed-at-death designation |
PBGC also handles joint-and-survivor elections differently from C&C changes. Confirm your annuity type and the form PBGC expects before signing.
When Section 3 Spousal Consent Is Required
Form 711 Section 3 collects Spousal Consent to Beneficiary of Certain and Continuous Annuity. PBGC's transaction page states that with a certain-and-continuous annuity, you can change the beneficiary, but if you are married, your spouse must provide written, notarized consent.
The form itself lists exceptions where Section 3 does not need to be completed: you were not married when you started receiving benefits; the spouse you were married to when benefits started is deceased; or you are designating that same spouse as 100% beneficiary of the certain-and-continuous annuity.
The spouse's consent signature must be notarized by a notary public. If the spouse does not consent, the beneficiary designation on file for the C&C annuity remains unchanged.
Notarization verifies the spouse's signature process. It does not decide whether the new beneficiary designation is financially preferable or legally sufficient for your family situation.
Joint-and-Survivor Changes vs. C&C Changes
PBGC explains that once you start receiving payments under a joint-and-survivor annuity, you generally cannot change that survivor beneficiary. A certain-and-continuous annuity follows a different change rule and is the context for Form 711.
Do not assume every married PBGC participant can change every survivor election with Form 711. Match the form to the annuity you actually receive and to PBGC's current instructions.
What the Notary Does on Form 711
When Section 3 applies, the notary performs the notarial act for the consenting spouse's signature on the current PBGC Form 711. The notary does not complete the participant's beneficiary designation, verify marital history, or determine whether an exception applies.
Use the current official PDF from PBGC. Keep required signatures unsigned until the authorized notarial act is performed according to applicable law and the form's instructions.
Remote Online Notarization and PBGC Form 711
Recipient confirmation is required. PBGC Form 711's notary block uses language that the spouse appeared personally before the notary public. Sources reviewed for this guide establish the notarized consent requirement but do not establish a blanket PBGC policy accepting remote online notarization for Form 711.
Remote online notarization is performed under the law of the online notary's commissioning state. That does not answer whether PBGC will accept an electronically notarized consent, an electronic original, or a particular delivery format for your file.
- Confirm you need Form 711 rather than Form 707 or Form 708
- Confirm whether Section 3 spousal consent applies or a listed exception fits
- Ask PBGC whether it accepts remote online notarization for Form 711
- Use the current unsigned form and acceptable identification
- Mail or submit the completed form as PBGC instructs
PBGC confirmed remote acceptance?
After PBGC confirms that it will accept remote online notarization for your exact Form 711 workflow and delivery method, you may start a secure session with a commissioned U.S. online notary.
Frequently asked questions
How is Form 711 different from Form 707 or Form 708?
Forms 707 and 708 designate who receives money PBGC may owe at your death. Form 711 addresses the survivor beneficiary for a certain-and-continuous annuity and includes spousal consent rules when applicable.
When can a married participant skip spousal consent on Form 711?
Section 3 may be omitted if you were not married when benefits started, that spouse is deceased, or you designate that same spouse as 100% beneficiary of the C&C annuity. Follow the current form text.
What happens if my spouse refuses to consent on Form 711?
PBGC states that if your spouse does not consent, your current beneficiary designation for the C&C annuity remains unchanged.
Does PBGC accept remote online notarization for Form 711?
This guide does not claim that PBGC does. Confirm acceptance with PBGC for the exact form, signer, electronic document, notarial certificate, and submission method before booking.
Can a notary tell me which PBGC beneficiary to designate on Form 711?
No. A notary can perform an authorized notarial act but cannot recommend a beneficiary, explain annuity consequences, or provide legal or financial advice about your election.
Sources and Official References
The following primary sources support the legal and procedural information in this guide. Requirements can change, so confirm current rules with the receiving organization before relying on a notarized document.
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
Accessed September 20, 2026
Name your PBGC beneficiary(opens in a new tab)
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
Accessed September 20, 2026
Name Your PBGC Beneficiary FAQs(opens in a new tab)
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
Accessed September 20, 2026
PBGC confirmed RON for Form 711?
Confirm PBGC acceptance for the exact form, spousal-consent section, and delivery method before booking. Then execute the current unsigned document with a commissioned U.S. online notary if PBGC accepts remote online notarization.