Pension, Retirement, and Investment Accounts
What if my spouse chose a pension option with no survivor benefit?
Short answer
Some pension elections at retirement permanently reduce or eliminate survivor benefits. Review the election paperwork. If they chose a single-life annuity, payments stop at their death. Some plans allow a window to change the election before retirement — after death, options are…
What this usually means
Some pension elections at retirement permanently reduce or eliminate survivor benefits. Review the election paperwork. If they chose a single-life annuity, payments stop at their death. Some plans allow a window to change the election before retirement — after death, options are very limited. A pension attorney can advise on whether any recourse exists.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.