Member-Only Benefit
Highest monthly benefit; stops at your death. Your one-time death benefit and any remaining contributions and interest go to your one-time death benefit recipient.
Handbook p. 68, Member-Only BenefitCalifornia specificsIn the handbook, Angela's Member-Only Benefit is $3,192.92 a month; with 100% to a beneficiary her own age, it's $2,883.53. Your choice also sets what your family gets (see survivor benefits) and the base for the 2% yearly increase. Add a beneficiary birth date in the calculator to compare options.
100% Beneficiary Option
Beneficiary receives 100% of the amount you were receiving. If the beneficiary dies first, your benefit rises to the Member-Only Benefit. Largest decrease to your benefit.
Handbook p. 68, Option choices75% Beneficiary Option
Beneficiary receives 75% of the amount you were receiving. If the beneficiary dies first, your benefit rises to the Member-Only Benefit.
Handbook p. 68, Option choices50% Beneficiary Option
Beneficiary receives 50% of the amount you were receiving. If the beneficiary dies first, your benefit rises to the Member-Only Benefit. Smallest decrease while still providing a benefit.
Handbook p. 68, Option choicesAn option factor is the number CalSTRS multiplies your Member-Only Benefit by when you pick an option. It depends on your age, your beneficiary's age and the option. Handbook p. 82, Service retirement option factor tables
Angela's example: both ages 60
Member-Only Benefit: $3,192.92 a month (24.25 years, $6,583.33 monthly final compensation).
| Option | Factor | Angela gets | Beneficiary gets | Handbook shows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% Beneficiary Option | 0.9031 | $2,883.53 | $2,883.53 | $2,883.53 / $2,883.53 |
| 75% Beneficiary Option | 0.9306 | $2,971.33 | $2,228.50 | $2,971.33 / $2,228.50 |
| 50% Beneficiary Option | 0.9549 | $3,048.92 | $1,524.46 | $3,048.92 / $1,524.46 |
Compound Option example
Allot percentages of the Member-Only Benefit to yourself (optional) and to one or more beneficiaries, choosing the 100%, 75% or 50% option for each. Each beneficiary's portion is multiplied by its option factor; your Modified Benefit is your retained Member-Only portion plus the reduced portions. Allocations must total 100%. If you elect any option, no contributions or interest are distributed at your death.
The handbook splits a $3,192.92 benefit: 30% kept as Member-Only, 60% to a 100% option for a 60-year-old (factor 0.9031), and 10% to a 50% option for a 35-year-old (factor 0.9014). The member then gets $2,975.80 a month (handbook: $2,975.80).
Handbook p. 77, Compound Option example and worksheetSample option factors (member age 60)
From the handbook's extract. Ages are to the nearest quarter year. CalSTRS gives your exact factors in an estimate. Handbook p. 82, Service retirement option factor tables
| Beneficiary age | 100% option | 75% option | 50% option |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 0.785 | 0.8345 | 0.8855 |
| 25 | 0.7914 | 0.8399 | 0.8897 |
| 30 | 0.7996 | 0.8469 | 0.8949 |
| 35 | 0.81 | 0.8556 | 0.9014 |
| 40 | 0.8231 | 0.8666 | 0.9095 |
| 45 | 0.8394 | 0.88 | 0.9193 |
| 50 | 0.8588 | 0.8957 | 0.9306 |
| 55 | 0.8806 | 0.913 | 0.9428 |
| 60 | 0.9031 | 0.9306 | 0.9549 |
| 65 | 0.9243 | 0.9468 | 0.9657 |
| 70 | 0.9424 | 0.9603 | 0.9746 |
How we estimate Check with CalSTRS
The handbook prints option factors only for sample ages (member 55 to 70, beneficiary every 5 years from 20 to 70), and CalSTRS updates them from time to time.
Between sample ages we estimate the factor and label it as an estimate.
p. 82, Service retirement option factor tablesChoosing an option before you retire
Once eligible to retire you may elect an option before retirement. If you die before retirement, your beneficiary gets the benefit that would have been paid had you retired on the date of death. At retirement the option factor used is the higher of the factor in effect at election or at retirement. Changing or canceling it (or the beneficiary dying first) triggers an assessment that may reduce your benefit for life. CalSTRS must receive the form within 30 days of your signature; spouse or registered domestic partner must sign. Handbook p. 48, Choosing an option before retirement compared to at retirement
Worked example (handbook)Member retires at 60; 100% beneficiary is also 60; both were 55 at the preretirement election. Member-Only Benefit $1,963.89. Elected at 55 (factor 0.9198): $1,806.39. Elected at retirement (factor 0.9031): $1,773.59.Handbook p. 48, Choosing an option before retirement compared to at retirement
What the handbook says
- Member-Only Benefit: the highest monthly amount, paid for your lifetime; it stops at your death.p. 68, Member-Only Benefit
- 100%, 75% and 50% Beneficiary Options: after your death your option beneficiary gets 100%, 75% or 50% of your reduced amount for life. If the beneficiary dies first, your benefit rises to the Member-Only amount.p. 68, Option choices
- The Compound Option lets you split your benefit among one or more beneficiaries with a different option for each, and keep part as Member-Only.p. 69, Compound Option
- An option reduces your benefit by an option factor based on your age, your beneficiary's age and the option chosen. Ages use the nearest quarter year.p. 70, How choosing an option changes your benefit
- Example: Angela's $3,192.92 Member-Only Benefit, both ages 60, becomes $2,883.53 (100% option, factor .9031), $2,971.33 (75%, .9306) or $3,048.92 (50%, .9549).p. 76, Beneficiary option examples and worksheets
- The option factor tables are an extract for selected ages and are adjusted periodically; CalSTRS gives exact factors in an estimate.p. 82, Service retirement option factor tables
- A nonspouse beneficiary can't be more than exactly 19 years younger than you under the 75% option, or more than 10 years younger under the 100% option within a Compound Option.p. 69, Electing a nonspouse option beneficiary
- Once eligible to retire, you can make a preretirement option election. If you die before retiring, your beneficiary gets a lifetime benefit, and at retirement you get the higher of the option factor at election or at retirement.p. 47, Protecting your loved ones before you retire
- Example: $1,963.89 Member-Only becomes $1,806.39 with a 100% option elected at 55 (factor 0.9198), versus $1,773.59 if elected at retirement at 60 (0.9031).p. 48, Choosing an option before retirement compared to at retirement
- Changing or canceling a preretirement election, or your beneficiary dying first, triggers an assessment that may reduce your benefit for life.p. 49, Changing or canceling a preretirement election of an option
- You have 30 days from the date your first payment is issued to change or cancel your application, including your option. After that, you can change your beneficiary only for death, divorce, marriage or similar events, and a new election takes effect six months later.p. 71, Adding, changing or canceling your option election after retirement
- If you elect any option, no contributions or interest are paid out at your death, even if you keep part of your benefit as Member-Only.p. 69, Compound Option
- Defined Benefit Supplement balance under $3,500 is paid as a lump sum. At $3,500 or more you can choose a lump sum, a lifetime annuity, a 3-to-10-year period-certain annuity, or a combination.p. 72, Your Defined Benefit Supplement account distribution
Questions
Which CalSTRS payment option pays the most?
The Member-Only Benefit pays the most each month, but it stops when you die. Each beneficiary option pays less so a monthly benefit can continue to your option beneficiary for life.
What happens if my beneficiary dies first?
Under the 100%, 75% and 50% options, your benefit goes back up to the Member-Only amount.
Can I change my option later?
You have 30 days from the date your first payment is issued to change or cancel. After that you can change only in certain cases, such as your beneficiary's death, a divorce or a marriage.
Source: CalSTRS Member Handbook, 2026 edition (Jan. 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027), pp. 47, 48, 49, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 76, 77, 82, 83. Last reviewed .