If you die before you retire, but are eligible for Early or Normal Retirement and have been married to your current spouse for at least a year at the time of your death, your current spouse will receive 50% of the benefit you would have received had you retired.
Benefits are calculated as if you had retired and had chosen the Joint Retirement Benefit Option.
When you retire, if you wish to ensure that benefits continue to be paid to your spouse or other beneficiary after your death, you may reduce your benefit to provide 50%, 66-2/3%, 75% or 100% of your benefit to a survivor. This one-time election and must be made at the time you retire.