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When you name your spouse as a beneficiary of your RRIF, the rules also allow you to name your spouse as the “successor annuitant”.

If your spouse is the successor annuitant, your spouse takes over your RRIF and automatically starts receiving your RRIF payments.

If your spouse is not the successor annuitant, your RRIF will be collapsed and the investments sold. As the beneficiary, your spouse can have the money from your RRIF rolled over to their RRSP or RRIF

To learn more about RRIF beneficiaries, read this page from GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca.

You may wish to speak to a tax professional or financial representative for tax and estate planning advice.