The type and amount of survivor benefits depend on the type of survivor and your credit. A spouse you are living with at the time of death is first in line to receive the survivor benefits. If your spouse receives a pension and later dies, the pension will continue to be paid to eligible children as long as they remain dependent.

The following summarizes your benefits, provided you have more than two qualifying years and have taught after 1986.

Spouse (must be living)

• payment of commuted value of your pension either as a lump-sum payment, an immediate pension or a deferred pension

Dependent children (no spouse)

• 50% survivor pension to a maximum age 25

Designated beneficiary or estate

• lump-sum payment of commuted value to the beneficiary or estate