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If you are vested and die before you retire, your spouse or beneficiary may be eligible to elect one of the following forms of survivor benefits:

  • 75% Unreduced Preretirement Surviving Spouse Pension
  • 50% Preretirement Surviving Spouse Pension
  • Lump Sum Death Benefit

The type of benefit your survivor receives depends on a number of factors (see Survivor Benefits for more details). Only one of these benefits will be payable. If the total value of your benefit is at least $1,000 but less than $5,000, your spouse or beneficiary will automatically receive it as a lump sum distribution following consent to the distribution.