A data‑driven framework to help evaluate every pension election, integrate income sources, and align lifetime benefits with your goals.
Highest monthly payout tied to your life only. Maximizes current income but ceases at death (no survivor continuation). May be suitable when other assets secure a spouse or there is no dependent need.
Reduced initial payment in exchange for guaranteed continuation to a spouse/partner at the elected percentage. Balances household longevity risk and income stability; trade‑off is lower lifetime total if both lives are shorter than actuarial assumptions.
Guarantees payments for a fixed minimum term (e.g., 10 or 20 years) even if death occurs early; after period end, continues only if you’re still living (life with period certain variant). Adds a legacy/recapture element while slightly reducing base payout.
Provides survivor continuation but “pops up” to the single life amount if the spouse predeceases you. Offers upside flexibility; actuarially priced via reduced starting payment.
One‑time present value distribution that can be rolled to an IRA for continued tax deferral and invested per your allocation. Introduces market and behavioral risk, adds liquidity and legacy potential, and enables tax‑efficient withdrawal sequencing.
Balance stated as an account value with interest crediting formula. Options may include annuitization or lump sum. Requires timing awareness of interest rate environment and crediting mechanics.
We run present value and breakeven analyses using current segment/discount rates, mortality assumptions, projected return ranges, and your behavioral/implementation capacity. Decision hinges on risk transfer preference, longevity profile, tax timing, and liquidity needs.
We model rate sensitivity. Higher discount rates can reduce lump sum values; we identify “decision windows” and monitor rate releases so you aren’t surprised by valuation shifts.
Not always. We compare real vs. nominal income paths, crossover years, inflation assumptions, and survivor needs. Sometimes a higher fixed benefit plus a hedging or TIPS sleeve is superior.
Typically only if underwriting is favorable, net after-tax present value exceeds joint option actuarial cost, lapse risk is manageable, and the household can sustain premiums under stress scenarios.
We integrate timing to help stabilize lifetime “income floor,” reduce sequence risk in early retirement, and create Roth conversion or bracket management windows before RMDs.
State tax treatment, creditor protections, and income sourcing rules are incorporated into election and distribution sequencing before you finalize decisions.
We evaluate shared vs. separate interest methods, survivor benefit preservation, and negotiation impact on other marital designed assets to maintain equitable, enforceable income allocation.
Recent benefit statement, plan summary (SPD), any election packets, prior QDRO (if applicable), Social Security estimate, outside account statements, tax return, and estate docs (for survivorship modeling).
