Most traditional defined benefit pensions, both private and public, offer a joint and survivor annuity as one of the payout options. Under this arrangement, your pension continues paying your surviving spouse after your death, typically at 50%, 75%, or 100% of the benefit you were receiving, in exchange for accepting a lower monthly payment during your lifetime. The reduction in your monthly benefit compensates the pension fund for the longer expected payment period. If you chose a single life annuity, which pays the maximum monthly amount, payments stop entirely at your death and your spouse receives nothing from that pension. For couples where one partner has a defined benefit pension, the choice between single life and joint and survivor annuity is one of the most consequential retirement income decisions they face. For 401(k)s and IRAs, the balance passes to the named beneficiary, which is typically the spouse, who can then roll the funds into their own IRA and take distributions under their own RMD schedule. Keeping beneficiary designations current on all retirement accounts is essential, as outdated designations can override a will and direct assets to unintended recipients.

Social Security and pensions offer spousal and survivor protections—the higher earner's claiming decisions directly affect the surviving partner's income.

Can My Spouse Collect My Social Security Benefits?

A spouse may collect up to 50% of your benefit at Full Retirement Age—even with little or no work history of their own.

What Is AARP, What Does Membership Include, and When Should You Join?

AARP is open to adults 18 and up, with full benefits at 50—membership includes discounts, planning tools, and advocacy on issues affecting older Americans.

Retirement Depression and Boredom: What Causes It and What Helps?

Leaving a career can trigger unexpected emotional challenges—structure, purpose, and social connection often matter as much as the financial plan.

Finding Purpose in Retirement: Why It Matters and How to Find It

Purpose in retirement rarely arrives on its own—it takes deliberate exploration of what genuinely energizes you beyond your former career.

What to Do in Retirement: Building a Fulfilling Life After Work

The most fulfilled retirees structure time around meaning, connection, and growth—not just passive leisure.

Retirement Lifestyle Planning: Designing the Retirement You Actually Want

Lifestyle planning covers where you live, how you spend time, and who you spend it with—the counterpart to your financial plan.

The Three Phases of Retirement: Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go Years

Retirement spending and activity often shift through go-go, slow-go, and no-go phases—your income plan should match all three.

Retirement and Mental Health: What You Need to Know

Retirement can destabilize identity and social connection—preparing structure, purpose, and support reduces adjustment risk.

Staying Active and Making Friends in Retirement

Physical activity and social connection are among the strongest predictors of health and happiness once workplace structure is gone.

Loss of Identity After Retirement: Understanding and Overcoming It

When work defined your identity for decades, retirement can feel disorienting—building multiple roles before and after work helps.

Should I Move When I Retire?

Relocating can change taxes and cost of living—but proximity to family, healthcare, and established community ties matter too.

Retirement Financial Literacy: The Basics Every New Retiree Needs to Know

Retirement often brings more financial complexity than working years—Social Security, RMDs, Medicare, and tax-efficient withdrawals all interact.

Spouse Retirement Benefits: Does My Spouse Get My Pension When I Die?

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