Retirement Benefit Distributions for California Educators
By
Distribution choices by individuals retiring from CalSTRS are examined for participants that retired between 2016 and 2023. Women are much more likely to select a member-only annuity while a larger proportion of men select a J&S annuity that provide survivor benefits. Being married is a dominant factor in the selection of J&S annuities. Greater final annual salary, older ages at retirement, and more years of service are associated with a greater probability of choosing a J&S annuity. We also find that benefit choices from the primary benefit plan are jointly determined with distributions chosen from the supplemental pension plan. Interestingly, about half of retirees select a lump sum distribution from the supplemental plan while receiving an annuity from their primary plan.
