How your beneficiaries will be paid

Learn how your beneficiary (or beneficiaries) will be paid after you die.

Beneficiary payments if you die before retiring

If you have a spouse and die before the earliest retirement age of 55, your spouse may be eligible to receive a monthly pension or a lump-sum payment.

If you have a spouse and die after your earliest retirement age, but have not retired, your spouse is entitled to a monthly pension payment.

If you do not have a spouse and have other named beneficiaries, including your estate, they are eligible for a lump-sum payment if you die before you start receiving your pension.