Spousal continuation provision is the clause within an annuity or insurance contract that defines eligibility, rights, and procedures for a surviving spouse to continue the contract after the original owner's death. It specifies who qualifies as a spouse, how to elect continuation, what happens to riders and guarantees, and whether any new surrender charges or distribution schedules apply. The provision may differ among carriers and products, and can interact with community property or marital property laws. A well-understood spousal continuation provision allows couples to plan around both lives and avoid forced taxable events at the first death.

Advisors often need to read the spousal continuation provision closely when handling death claims, especially if ownership, annuitant designations, and beneficiaries do not perfectly align. They help surviving spouses complete required forms, understand impact on living benefits, and coordinate continuation with broader estate and income plans. In advanced planning, advisors may compare spousal continuation provisions across carriers when selecting which annuity to recommend. Understanding these provisions ensures that marketing promises about spousal protection match actual contract language and that surviving spouses are not surprised by limitations or lost benefits.