Retirement Options for Spouse Benefits

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08-19-2018, 02:07 AM

#11

Flyinhigh

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Dec 2007

Position: Retired

Posts: 404

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albief15

Did a search but "retirement" brings up the latest pro/cons of VB plan, not strategies on optimizing what we already have.

I have not gone to a retirement seminar--still a few years out--but wondering if some of you that have crunched numbers have compared the straight line/75%/50% spouse annuity options. MacGuy or any others want to comment or share insights?

Also interested in why/how you made your choice for those that have retired. My situation is wife is about 3 years younger than me, good health. Should also have a military retirement at 60.

Same general theme--how many of you retired guys are making house payments verses have just bought a house straight out...pros/cons on each approach are also a subject I'd like to hear about...

As has already been stated, everyone's situation is different. My wife is six years younger so the survivor benefit was very expensive (about 26% if I recall) so I shopped around and found a 20 year term policy and a 25 year term policy that was less than the cost of the survivor option. This will get me to age 90 and then the 401(K) becomes the survivor fund.
One of the upsides to this is if I should pass away and then she dies shortly after, the funds are still available to pass on to the kids and grandkids (or whatever other projects we want to fund).
When I retired, there was no refund option. If she passed away first, I was stuck with the reduced pension. I understand this has changed so it may not be a consideration for folks coming up on retirement.
Do your homework and start early. You only get one shot to get this right.