FERS Survivor Benefit Decision Matrix

Description

The FERS Survivor Benefit Decision Matrix helps federal employees better understand one of the most important retirement elections they will make.

At retirement, married federal employees must decide whether to elect a maximum survivor benefit, a partial survivor benefit, or no survivor benefit. This choice affects the retiree’s monthly pension, the surviving spouse’s future income, and potentially the spouse’s ability to continue FEHB coverage after the retiree’s death.

This tool compares the major survivor benefit options in plain dollars. Users can see the monthly pension reduction, long-term projected cost, survivor income amount, and the tradeoff between higher income today and protection for a spouse later.

The matrix is especially useful for married federal employees approaching retirement, couples reviewing pension paperwork, and anyone who wants to understand the financial and benefit-related consequences before making an irrevocable retirement election.