Every option starts from the single life amount under the benefit formula. What a beneficiary receives is also covered on survivor benefits, and how benefits are taxed on taxes on a TFFR pension.
The options
- Single Life Annuity. Highest monthly benefit, for life. If you die before receiving your account value, the balance goes to your beneficiary in a lump sum. Handbook p. 20, item 1; NDAC 82-05-02-01
- 100% Joint and Survivor. Reduced benefit for life; your one beneficiary then receives 100% for life. Pops up to the single life amount if the beneficiary dies first. A non-spouse beneficiary may be no more than 10 years younger than you. Handbook p. 19, Age Limitation; p. 20, item 2; NDCC 15-39.1-16(1)(a); NDAC 82-05-02-02(1)(a)
- 50% Joint and Survivor. Reduced benefit for life; your one beneficiary then receives 50% for life. Pops up if the beneficiary dies first. Default for a married member without spousal consent. Handbook p. 19, Spousal Consent; p. 20, item 3; NDCC 15-39.1-16(1)(b), (2)
- Ten-Year Term Certain and Life. Reduced benefit for life; if you die within 10 years, your beneficiaries get the same amount for the rest of the 120 months. Handbook p. 20, item 4; p. 36; NDCC 15-39.1-16(1)(d)
- Twenty-Year Term Certain and Life. Reduced benefit for life; if you die within 20 years, your beneficiaries get the same amount for the rest of the 240 months. Handbook p. 20, item 5; p. 36; NDCC 15-39.1-16(1)(c)
Under every option you are guaranteed at least your account value (member contributions plus 6% interest). Handbook p. 19, Annuity Options; NDCC 15-39.1-17(2)(c)
The option cannot be changed after the first payment, except: pop-up to single life if a joint annuitant dies or a divorce decree gives you sole ownership; and a retiree who marries may switch to a joint and survivor option with proof of good health and the new beneficiary's age (actuarially adjusted). TFFR Retirement Guide (2/2023), p. 9; TFFR Member Handbook (5/7/2026), p. 19, p. 36; NDAC 82-05-02-02(3)-(5)
RIO doesn't publish the factors that set how much less each survivor option pays; it depends on your age and your beneficiary's. So our calculator shows only the single life amount in dollars. A TFFR benefit estimate shows every option for you. Handbook p. 19; NDAC 82-05-04-02
Joint and survivor, term certain and PLSO amounts are actuarial equivalents; RIO publishes only the assumptions (NDAC 82-05-04-02), not factor tables. The only published PLSO illustration says 'approximately 10%'.
What we do: single life only in dollars; PLSO lump sum = 12 x single life; other options named without amounts
What would settle it: A MyTFFR benefit estimate showing all options, or RIO's option factor tables.The Partial Lump Sum Option (PLSO)
Lump sum equal to 12 times the single life benefit, paid with the first monthly payment, in exchange for an actuarially reduced monthly annuity under whatever option you choose. The taxable part can be rolled over. Members eligible for an unreduced (normal) retirement benefit only; not disability retirees or beneficiaries. Handbook pp. 20-21, item 6, Partial Lump Sum Option; NDCC 15-39.1-16(1)(e); NDAC 82-05-02-05
On our numbers (Tier 2, age 60 with 30 years, $60,000 final average salary), single life is $3,000.00 a month, so the lump sum would be $36,000.00. We can't compute the smaller monthly amount after a PLSO; only TFFR can.
What other retirees chose
Of new service retirees in fiscal 2024: 50% chose 100% Joint and Survivor, 34% Single Life, 11% 50% Joint and Survivor and 4% the 20-year term certain. Benefit presentation PDF p. 25, Service Retirement Options
The Level Income Option was repealed
The Level Income Option was eliminated by House Bill 1219 (2023); NDAC 82-05-02-03 was repealed effective April 1, 2024. NDAC 82-05-02-03; Valuation (2026) p. 43, 2023 Legislative Session item 1
The Retirement Guide (2/2023), pp. 10-11, still describes a Level Income Option with a worked example ($3,000 + $624 supplement = $3,624 before 62, $2,424 after). It was eliminated by HB 1219 (2023) and NDAC 82-05-02-03 was repealed April 1, 2024; the 2026 handbook does not list it. We don't offer it.
Retirement Guide (2023) pp. 10-11; NDAC 82-05-02-03; Valuation (2026) p. 43; Handbook p. 20Your retirement date
Last day of employment on the 1st-14th: retirement date is the 15th. Last day on the 15th-31st: retirement date is the 1st of the following month. Monthly benefits are paid on the first business day of each month, retroactive to the retirement date if processing is delayed. Apply 60 to 90 days before the planned retirement date. Handbook pp. 21-22, Know your retirement date; p. 22, Apply for Retirement; p. 23, Payment; NDAC 82-05-03-01; Retirement Guide (2023) p. 5, Section C
| Last day of work | Retirement date |
|---|---|
| May 29, 2026 | June 1, 2026 (handbook) |
| June 10, 2026 | June 15, 2026 (handbook) |
| June 15, 2026 | July 1, 2026 |
| December 31, 2026 | January 1, 2027 |
Handbook pp. 21-22 says a last day on the 1st-14th gives a retirement date of the 15th (same month) and the 15th-31st gives the 1st of the next month; p. 23 says the retirement date is 'the 1st or 15th day of the month following your last day of employment or eligibility'. We follow the detailed rule on pp. 21-22 (also in the 2023 guide, p. 5).
Handbook pp. 21-23; Retirement Guide (2023) p. 5The Retirement Guide (2/2023), p. 5, says to return the application at least 120 days before retirement; the 2026 handbook, p. 22, says 60 to 90 days. We follow the handbook.
Retirement Guide (2023) p. 5; Handbook p. 22The 1st-14th/15th-31st rule is written for the last day of employment. For the earliest and full-benefit dates (eligibility reached on a birthday, or by age plus service) the handbook (p. 23) says only that the retirement date is the 1st or 15th following 'eligibility'; NDAC 82-05-03-01 says eligibility after the first fifteen days of a month moves payment to the next month.
What we do: the eligibility date itself if it is a 1st or 15th; otherwise the next 15th or 1st
What would settle it: RIO confirmation of the retirement date for a deferred member whose 55th or 65th birthday falls mid-month.From the sources
- If your last day of work is the 1st-14th of a month, your retirement date is the 15th; if it is the 15th-31st, your retirement date is the 1st of the next month. Apply in MyTFFR 60 to 90 days before. Benefits are paid on the first business day of each month.Handbook pp. 21-23
- To retire you must end TFFR-covered employment and not be under contract to teach in North Dakota or on a leave of absence. There can be no written agreement to be rehired.Handbook p. 17, p. 27
- Options: Single Life (highest), 100% Joint and Survivor, 50% Joint and Survivor, 10-Year Term Certain and Life, and 20-Year Term Certain and Life. All options other than single life are actuarially reduced; RIO publishes no factor tables. Every option guarantees at least your account value.Handbook pp. 19-20; NDAC 82-05-02-02; 82-05-04-02
- If you are married and your spouse does not consent to your choice, you get the 50% Joint and Survivor option. A non-spouse beneficiary for the 100% option can be no more than 10 years younger than you. Joint and survivor options need a single beneficiary.Handbook p. 19, General Provisions; NDCC 15-39.1-16(2)
- Joint and survivor options 'pop up' to the single life amount if your beneficiary dies first, or if a divorce decree gives you sole ownership. A retiree who marries can switch to a joint and survivor option with proof of good health.Handbook p. 19, p. 36; NDAC 82-05-02-02(3)-(4)
- Partial Lump Sum Option (PLSO): if you qualify for an unreduced benefit, you can take 12 times your single life benefit in cash, with a permanently reduced monthly benefit. RIO's example: $3,000 a month becomes a $36,000 lump sum plus $2,700 a month; it says the reduction is generally about 10%.Handbook pp. 20-21; Retirement Guide (2023) p. 11
- The Level Income Option no longer exists: it was eliminated in 2023 and its rule was repealed April 1, 2024. Older RIO guides still describe it.NDAC 82-05-02-03; Valuation (2026) p. 43
Questions
Which TFFR option pays the most each month?
Single Life. It pays the highest monthly amount, for your life only. Every other option pays less so that someone can be paid after you.
What if my spouse doesn't sign?
A married member who doesn't have the spouse's consent gets the 50% Joint and Survivor option.
What is the PLSO?
If you qualify for an unreduced benefit, you can take 12 times your single life benefit in cash at retirement, in exchange for a smaller monthly benefit for life.
Can I change my option later?
Not after the first payment, with a few exceptions, such as the pop-up to single life if your joint annuitant dies first.
Is there still a Level Income Option?
No. It was repealed effective April 1, 2024. An older RIO guide still describes it.
When does my pension start?
If your last day of work is the 1st to the 14th, your retirement date is the 15th. If it's the 15th to the 31st, your retirement date is the 1st of the next month.
Source: Teachers' Fund for Retirement Member Handbook, 5/7/2026, pp. i, 17, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, 21-23, 27, 36. Also: Retirement Guide (2023); Valuation (2026); Benefit presentation (Fall 2025); NDCC 15-39.1-16, 15-39.1-17; NDAC 82-05-02-01, 82-05-02-02, 82-05-02-03, 82-05-02-05, 82-05-03-01, 82-05-04-02. Last reviewed .