Why This Decision Matters
When you retire, you choose a benefit election - a decision that determines how much you receive each month and what, if anything, your beneficiary receives after you pass away. This single choice can shift your monthly income by hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and it is permanent once filed.
Highest Monthly Income
Pays the maximum monthly amount to you for life, but payments stop entirely when you die. No continuing benefit to a spouse or beneficiary.
Full Survivor Protection
Reduces your monthly amount in exchange for your beneficiary receiving the same monthly payment for their lifetime after you pass.
Partial Survivor Protection
A smaller reduction to your monthly income than the 100% option, with your beneficiary receiving 75% of your payment after you pass.
Lower-Cost Protection
The smallest reduction of the continuance options, with your beneficiary receiving 50% of your payment after you pass.
This Decision Is Permanent
Once you file your retirement paperwork and your benefit election takes effect, it generally cannot be changed - even if your circumstances change later. That is what makes this one of the most consequential single decisions in your entire retirement plan.
Why You Should Review This Before Filing
Because the right choice depends on your spouse's age, other income sources, health, and overall financial picture, a side-by-side comparison with real dollar figures - not just percentages - is worth doing before you submit anything to CalSTRS. See our approaching retirement guide for a fuller checklist.