Normal Form
The largest
Life-only annuity (largest benefit). No continuing monthly benefit; at death any remaining member account balance goes to the beneficiary as a lump sum.
MCA 19-20-702(1)(a), 19-20-1002(2); Actuarial Valuation (July 1, 2025), p. 47 (Normal Form of Benefits); Montana TRS web page: Retirement Prep (FAQ)Option A: Joint and Survivor (100%)
100% continues
Reduced lifetime allowance; after the member's death the same allowance continues for the joint annuitant's lifetime.
Check with Montana TRS Amount: from Montana TRS's unpublished factors.
MCA 19-20-702(2)(b)(i)Option B: Joint and Survivor (one-half)
One-half continues
Reduced lifetime allowance; one-half continues for the joint annuitant's lifetime.
Check with Montana TRS Amount: from Montana TRS's unpublished factors.
MCA 19-20-702(2)(b)(ii)Option C: Joint and Survivor (two-thirds)
Two-thirds continues
Reduced lifetime allowance; two-thirds continues for the joint annuitant's lifetime.
Check with Montana TRS Amount: from Montana TRS's unpublished factors.
MCA 19-20-702(2)(b)(iii)10-Year Period Certain and Life
10 years guaranteed
Lifetime allowance; if the member dies before 120 monthly payments, the beneficiary gets the rest. Available if 75 or younger at retirement.
Check with Montana TRS Amount: from Montana TRS's unpublished factors.
MCA 19-20-702(3); 19-20-1002(4); Montana TRS web page: Benefit Payments20-Year Period Certain and Life
20 years guaranteed
Lifetime allowance; if the member dies before 240 monthly payments, the beneficiary gets the rest. Available if 65 or younger at retirement.
Check with Montana TRS Amount: from Montana TRS's unpublished factors.
MCA 19-20-702(3); 19-20-1002(4); Montana TRS web page: Benefit PaymentsThe facts
- You choose one of six allowances: the Normal Form (largest, for your life only), Joint and Survivor Option A (100% to your joint annuitant), Option B (one-half), Option C (two-thirds), or 10- or 20-Year Period Certain and Life.MCA 19-20-702; Montana TRS web pages: Retirement Prep and Benefit Payments
- The 10-year period certain is open if you're 75 or younger at retirement; the 20-year if you're 65 or younger.MCA 19-20-702(3)(a)
- Your choice is final once Montana TRS processes your first payment. With Option A, B or C, if your joint annuitant dies or you divorce, you may be able to switch back to the Normal Form or name someone new if you apply within 18 months.MCA 19-20-702(1)(b), (5), (7); Montana TRS web page: Life Changes
- Check with Montana TRSMontana TRS doesn't publish how much each option reduces your benefit. Your Estimate of Benefits shows the amounts.No option factors in any source.MCA 19-20-702(2)(a); Montana TRS web page: Retirement Prep
Options A, B, C and the period-certain options are actuarial equivalents of the Normal Form (MCA 19-20-702); no factors are published.
Only the Normal Form has a dollar amount
What would settle it: A Montana TRS Estimate of Benefits showing all six allowances, or a factor table.
Options D and E?
You may see Options D and E on some Montana TRS pages. The law lists only A, B and C, so this site does too.
Two Montana TRS web pages and the Family Law Orders fact sheet mention Joint and Survivor 'Option A, B, C, D, or E'; MCA 19-20-702 lists only Options A, B and C, and the Retirement Prep page says there are six allowances (Normal Form, A, B, C, 10- and 20-year period certain). We list the six.
Montana TRS web page: Life Changes; Family Law Orders fact sheet, p. 1; MCA 19-20-702; Montana TRS web page: Retirement Prep (FAQ)
Mentioned on web pages and the FLO fact sheet but not in MCA 19-20-702.
Six allowances from the statute
What would settle it: Montana TRS confirming whether D and E are legacy options for older retirees.
Once you choose
Irrevocable once Montana TRS processes the first monthly payment. A retiree with Option A, B or C may revert to the Normal Form (increased by GABAs received) or choose a new option and joint annuitant if the joint annuitant dies or they divorce (and the ex-spouse has no award), applying within 18 months. MCA 19-20-702(1)(b), (5)-(7); Montana TRS web page: Life Changes (Divorce; Death)
Montana TRS provides an Estimate of Benefits under the allowances available; vested members can also run unofficial estimates in My TRS, Montana TRS's online account. Montana TRS web page: Retirement Prep (Request an Estimate of Benefits)
What a survivor gets under each option: death and survivor benefits. Your Normal Form amount is in the calculator.
Questions
What payment options does Montana TRS offer?
Six: the Normal Form (the largest, for your life only); Joint and Survivor Option A (100% continues to your joint annuitant), Option B (one-half) and Option C (two-thirds); and 10- or 20-Year Period Certain and Life.
How much less do Options A, B and C pay?
Montana TRS doesn't publish its option factors. Your Estimate of Benefits from Montana TRS shows each amount.
Can I change my option later?
Not once Montana TRS processes your first payment, with one exception: under A, B or C, if your joint annuitant dies or you divorce, you may switch back to the Normal Form or name someone new, applying within 18 months.
Source: Montana TRS: Understand Your Benefits (web page) and fact sheets, Fetched Nov. 12, 2026; fact sheets revised 2019-2026, fact sheets: Designation of and Payment to Joint Annuitants and Beneficiaries of Retired Members pp. 1-2. Also: Montana TRS web pages: Retirement Prep, Benefit Payments, Life Changes; Actuarial Valuation (July 1, 2025); MCA §§ 19-20-702, 19-20-1002. Last reviewed .