| Option | What it pays | Who can be your beneficiary |
|---|---|---|
| Member Only Option (Regular Maximum Plan) | The largest check, for your life only. Any contributions left over go to your beneficiary as a lump sum. Legacy Member Guide p. 9-10 | Anyone |
| Social Security Leveling Option | A bigger TCRS check until 62, then a permanently smaller one, to even out your income around Social Security. Legacy Member Guide p. 10; Retirement application guide p. 9-10 | Anyone |
| Option 1: 100% survivor | A smaller check for your life, then 100% of it to your beneficiary for theirs. Legacy Member Guide p. 10, Option 1 | Spouse, or adjusted age difference under 11 years |
| Option 2: 50% survivor | A smaller check for your life, then 50% of it to your beneficiary for theirs. Legacy Member Guide p. 11, Option 2 | Anyone |
| Option 3: 100% survivor with pop-up | A smaller check for your life, then 100% of it to your beneficiary for theirs. If your beneficiary dies first, your check goes back up to the Member Only amount. Legacy Member Guide p. 11, Option 3 | Spouse, or adjusted age difference under 11 years |
| Option 4: 50% survivor with pop-up | A smaller check for your life, then 50% of it to your beneficiary for theirs. If your beneficiary dies first, your check goes back up to the Member Only amount. Legacy Member Guide p. 11, Option 4 | Anyone |
| Option 5: 70% survivor Check with TCRS | A smaller check for your life, then 70% of it to your beneficiary for theirs. Selecting a Beneficiary Guide p. 13, Option 5; Retirement application guide p. 12 | Spouse, or adjusted age difference under 23 years |
| Option 6: 70% survivor with pop-up Check with TCRS | A smaller check for your life, then 70% of it to your beneficiary for theirs. If your beneficiary dies first, your check goes back up to the Member Only amount. Selecting a Beneficiary Guide p. 13, Option 6; Retirement application guide p. 12 | Spouse, or adjusted age difference under 23 years |
Short answer: Member Only pays the largest check, for your life only. Social Security Leveling pays more before 62 and less after. Joint and survivor options pay you a smaller check and continue 100% or 70% or 50% of it to your beneficiary. TCRS doesn't publish the reduction factors. See survivor benefits, Social Security and the COLA. See the guide's example in the calculator.
TCRS doesn't publish how much each survivor option or the Social Security Leveling option reduces your check.
We show the Member Only amount and describe the other options without dollar figures. Your TCRS benefit estimate shows them.
Legacy Member Guide p. 5, p. 9-11Two 70% survivor options (Options 5 and 6) appear in TCRS's beneficiary guide and application slides but not in the member guides.
We list them, marked as not in the member guides.
Selecting a Beneficiary Guide p. 13; Retirement application guide p. 12The age rule for a non-spouse
A spouse can be named under any option. For a non-spouse, Options 1 and 3 need an adjusted age difference under 11 years; Options 5 and 6 under 23 years; Options 2 and 4 are open to anyone. With several beneficiaries, the youngest is used. Member guides: adjusted age difference = (member age - beneficiary age) - (70 - member age) for members under 70, actual difference at 70+, using the ages each turns in the retirement year. Beneficiary Guide: same formula with the member's IRS RMD age (70 1/2, 72, 73 or 75 by birth date) in place of 70. Legacy Member Guide p. 10, Joint and Survivor Plans (example: (60 - 34) - (70 - 60) = 16); Selecting a Beneficiary Guide p. 11, Survivor Benefit Age Difference Limits; p. 12-14
TCRS's example: you're 60 and your beneficiary is 34. (60 - 34) - (70 - 60) = 16, too much for the 100% options (Options 1 and 3), so you could pick Option 2 or 4, or the 70% Options 5 or 6 that TCRS's beneficiary guide lists. Legacy Member Guide p. 10, Joint and Survivor Plans
Changing your mind
A joint-and-survivor choice can be changed within 60 days of the Retirement Notice Letter. Afterwards a beneficiary can be changed only on the beneficiary's death or divorce, the benefit does not increase, and a new beneficiary gets only remaining contributions (a new spouse may be added by re-annuitizing if the original sole beneficiary was removed). A Member Only retiree may later change beneficiary and may switch to a joint-and-survivor option by repaying the difference. Legacy Member Guide p. 11, Confirming Retirement Benefits; Selecting a Beneficiary Guide p. 15-16
From the sources
- Member Only Option: the largest monthly benefit, for your life only. Any contributions not yet paid out go to your beneficiary as a lump sum.Legacy Member Guide p. 9-10
- Social Security Leveling Option: a bigger TCRS check before 62, then a permanent reduction at 62 when Social Security can start.Legacy Member Guide p. 10
- Joint and survivor options reduce your benefit so a beneficiary is paid after your death: Option 1 (100%), Option 2 (50%), Option 3 (100%, rises to the full amount if your beneficiary dies first), Option 4 (50%, with the same pop-up).Legacy Member Guide p. 10-11
- Check with TCRSThe Selecting a Beneficiary Guide also lists Option 5 (70%) and Option 6 (70% with pop-up), which the member guides don't mention.Selecting a Beneficiary Guide p. 13
- A spouse can be named under any option. For a non-spouse, the 100% options need an adjusted age difference under 11 years and the 70% options under 23 years. Adjusted difference = (your age - beneficiary's age) - (70 - your age); for example 60 and 34 gives 16.Legacy Member Guide p. 10; Selecting a Beneficiary Guide p. 11-14
- TCRS doesn't publish option factors. Your benefit estimate, available within three years of retirement, shows each option's amount.Legacy Member Guide p. 5, Member Annual Statements
- You have 60 days from your Retirement Notice Letter to change a joint and survivor choice. After that, a beneficiary can be changed only after death or divorce, and your benefit doesn't go back up.Legacy Member Guide p. 11, Confirming Retirement Benefits
Questions
What are the TCRS retirement payment options?
Member Only (the largest check, for your life), Social Security Leveling (more before 62, less after), and joint and survivor options that pay your beneficiary 100% or 50% of your check (70% in two more options in TCRS's beneficiary guide), with or without a pop-up.
Can I name my child or someone other than my spouse?
Yes, but for the 100% options their age can't be too far from yours. TCRS uses an "adjusted age difference": (your age - their age) - (70 - your age). The 100% options need under 11 years. Example: you're 60, they're 34: (60 - 34) - (70 - 60) = 16.
How much smaller is the survivor option check?
TCRS doesn't publish the factors. It depends on both your ages. Your TCRS benefit estimate, available within three years of retirement, shows each option's amount.
Source: TCRS Legacy Retirement Plan for Teachers Member Guide and Hybrid Retirement Plan for State Employees and Teachers Member Guide, Legacy 12/2024; Hybrid revised 07/2024, Legacy Member Guide pp. 5, 9-10, 9-11, 10, 10-11, 11. Also: Retirement application guide pp. 9-10, 12; Selecting a Beneficiary Guide pp. 11, 11-14, 12-14, 13, 15-16. Last reviewed .