begünstigte

Begünstigte is a German term used to denote a person who receives advantages or benefits under a legal arrangement, such as a will, life insurance policy, pension plan, or contract. It can be used as a noun to refer to the beneficiary, or as an adjective to describe someone who is favored, for example ein begünstigter Antragsteller (a favored applicant). The plural noun form is die Begünstigten; the singular forms are der Begünstigte (masculine) and die Begünstigte (feminine).

In estate law, a testator may designate one or more Begünstigte to receive assets through a Vermächtnis (bequest) or by inheritance. The rights and possible tax consequences of the Begünstigte depend on the jurisdiction and the specific terms of the will or contract governing the transfer of assets.

In insurance and retirement contracts, the Begünstigte is named in the policy to receive proceeds or benefits upon a triggering event, such as the death of the insured or the attainment of a retirement milestone. The designation typically requires clear identification and may impose relationship or condition-related requirements.

Beyond private law, begünstigte can describe groups or individuals who receive preferential treatment under a program or regulation. In this broader sense, the term indicates access to advantages that are not universally available, and it is commonly used in discussions of policy design, taxation, and social programs.

See also: Vermächtnis, Erbe, Versicherung, Treuhand, Begünstigung.