What are the Options available to me at retirement?

OPTION A

Benefits Paid to Member Only

Election of Option A means that you will receive your full retirement allowance in monthly payments as long as you live. All allowance payments will cease upon your death and no benefits will be provided for your survivors.

OPTION B

Potential Benefit for Beneficiaries

Option B provides you with a lifetime allowance which is approximately 1% to 5% less per month than Option A. The annuity portion of your allowance is reduced to allow a potential benefit for your beneficiary(ies). Upon your death, your surviving beneficiary(ies) of record, or if there is no beneficiary living, the person or persons appearing in the judgment of your retirement board to be entitled thereto will be paid the unexpended balance of your accumulated total deductions, if any, from the annuity reserve account.

> How soon would my contributions be depleted?

Although your retirement allowance is not reduced because of the depletion of your accumulated deductions, it is generally the case that your deductions are used up within eight to twelve years of your retirement, depending upon your age at retirement. Any remaining balance is to be paid to your beneficiary (ies) in the event of your death in the form of a One-Time Payment.

> Is my choice of beneficiary limited under Option B? Can I change beneficiaries?

There is no limitation on who qualifies as your choice of benefitiary. Under Option B, you may designate any person(s) or charity or institution as your beneficiary. You may name more than one person or charity or institution as a beneficiary in differing percentages.

Although your Option selection may never be changed, if you choose Option B you may change your beneficiary at any time after retirement.

OPTION C

Joint and Last Survivor Allowance

Option C is also known as the joint and last survivor allowance. Selecting this option means that the allowance payments that you would receive during your lifetime would be approximately 7 to 15% less than those you would receive under Option A. Upon your death, your designated beneficiary will be paid a monthly allowance for the remainder of his or her lifetime. That allowance will be equal to two-thirds of the allowance which was being paid to you at the time of your death.

> What determines the monthly payments of an allowance payable under Option C?

The monthly allowance you receive under Option C depends upon life expectancy factors for both you and your designated beneficiary.

> Who may I name as a beneficiary under Option C?

You may name only one beneficiary under Option C. The eligible beneficiaries are limited to your spouse, your former spouse (provided he or she has not remarried at the time the Option C benefit becomes payable to you), your child, your parent, or your sibling.

> May I change my Option C beneficiary?

You may not change your Option C beneficiary after your retirement becomes effective.

OPTION C “POP UP”

> How does my allowance change under Option C if my beneficiary dies before I do?

If your Option C beneficiary dies before you die, you will thereafter be paid the full retirement allowance you would have received had you elected Option A at the time your retirement allowance became effective. You cannot select a new Option C beneficiary or a different option. (This conversion is commonly referred to as the Option C “Pop-Up”.) Any cost-of-living increases that have been granted since your Option C retirement became effective will be reflected in your newly established Option A allowance. All payments will cease upon your death.

Effect of Divorce on Option C Beneficiary

> Does divorce following retirement change the status of my former spouse as my Option C beneficiary?

He or she will continue to be your Option C beneficiary even if you are divorced after retirement.