The most important thing about storing beans is proper moisture level. If the beans are frozen or placed in a sealed container before they are thoroughly dry, they will deteriorate quickly... in the most severe cases, to the point of seed death.

For me, drying is easy. The low indoor humidity caused by forced-air heat in Winter dries them completely; I just leave them in trays or open paper bags until New Years Day. For those in warmer, more humid environments, the use of a dehydrator or silicone desiccant gel might be necessary.

As a rule of thumb, to test the moisture level, smash a seed with a hammer. If it shows any flexibility, or does not shatter completely, it needs further drying; if it shatters completely, it should be dry enough to store.

If you grow your beans every year, frozen storage is unnecessary. Kept away from light & heat in a sealed container (like a mason jar), and provided that they are properly dry, beans will easily last 4-5 years at room temperature. Cooler temperatures are better, so the basement is an ideal place to store jars of seeds.

Should you decide to store seed in a freezer, be aware that it must be allowed to reach room temperature before opening the container. If opened too soon, moisture will quickly condense on the cold seed, and could destroy it. Also, freezing & unfreezing frequently is to be avoided. The best method is to store several small containers within a larger one (I use ziplocks) and only thaw what you intend to use this year.