CALSTRS PENSION EDUCATION HUB | RETIREMENT NATIONWIDE, INC.
What CalSTRS Doesn't Tell You at the Orientation
The pension election packet explains the options. It doesn't always explain the trade-offs. These articles do.
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The $177,300 Question: What the Survivor Election Actually Costs Over 25 Years
Most CalSTRS members focus on the monthly reduction. This article calculates the real cumulative cost over a full retirement — and why the number most members see on their election form understates the lifetime impact.
Member-Only Benefit vs. Survivor Option: A Side-by-Side Comparison
The CalSTRS pension election form lists the options. This article explains what each one actually means for you and your spouse over the course of a 20–30 year retirement.
What Happens to Your Pension Survivor Election If Your Spouse Dies First?
One of the least-discussed outcomes of the survivor election. If your beneficiary predeceases you, the reduction continues — permanently. This article explains what that means and why it matters.
Is a Private Life Insurance Policy a Substitute for the Pension Survivor Option?
For insurable CalSTRS members, there may be a third path. This article explains how Pension Option Planning works conceptually — and who it may be appropriate for.
5 Questions Your HR Department Cannot Answer About Your CalSTRS Election
HR can explain the mechanics of the election form. They cannot advise you on strategy. These are the questions you need a CalSTRS pension specialist to address before you sign.
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