"Tier 1" Surviving Spouse Annuity

A spouse who is married when the member began received a Retirement Annuity and was still married upon the member's death is eligible for a Spouse Annuity. 

A spouse who was married after the member's retirement and is married to the member for at least 1 year prior to the member's death is eligible for a Spouse Annuity, provided they elect to repay the refund of spouse contributions received by the member plus applicable interest.
 

65% of the member's annuity if the surviving spouse is at least age 55 or if the member had 30 years of service.

If the surviving spouse is under age 55 and the member had less than 30 years of service, the surviving spouse annuity is reduced by 1/2% per month before age 55.

The surviving spouse will receive a 3% compound increase in their annuity beginning January 1 after the first anniversary of the start of the annuity and each January 1 thereafter.

A surviving spouse of an actively employed member that was legally married upon the member's death is eligible for a spouse annuity.
 

65% of the member's annuity calculated as if the member had retired on the date of death assuming the surviving spouse is at least age 55 or if the member had 30 years of service.

If the surviving spouse is under age 55 and the member had less than 30 years of service, the surviving spouse annuity is reduced by 1/2% per month before age 55.

The surviving spouse of an actively employed member is guaranteed at least 10% of the member's's final average salary.

The surviving spouse will received a 3% compound increase in their annuity beginning January 1 after the first anniversary of the start of the annuity and each January 1 thereafter.