This form of payment means that your benefit is payable for your lifetime. If you die, payments will continue to your surviving spouse for the rest of his or her life. Your Spouse is the person to whom you are legally married on your retirement beginning date. The amount paid to your Spouse will be 50% of the amount you received while living, depending on the option you choose at retirement. [Section VI(C)]
Note: If you are receiving a Joint & Survivor form of payment and your Spouse predeceases you, your monthly benefit will increase to the amount you would have received if you had initially begun your benefit in the form of a Five Years Certain & Life Annuity (commonly referred to as the “Pop-Up Benefit”). The adjustment will be prospective and will not include any adjustment for benefits received prior to your spouse's death. [Section VI(E)(3)]
Did you know? If you are married at the time your benefit becomes payable, your benefit will be payable under the 50% Joint & Survivor form unless your Spouse consents in writing to your election of another payment form and/or a different beneficiary. Your Spouse is the person to whom you are legally married on your retirement beginning date. [Section VI(B)]