- Foundation members get a lifetime benefit that automatically continues 60% to an eligible surviving spouse. If you start between 55 and 62 you may choose a level income option that pays more until your 62nd birthday month and less after; it significantly reduces the survivor benefit after 62.Foundation Handbook (July 2024), pp. 12-13, 16; SDCL 3-12C-1112, 3-12C-1114
- Generational members get a single-life benefit unless they elect a reduced 60% or 100% joint & survivor benefit at retirement. Example: a $1,000 single-life benefit at member age 62 and spouse age 62 becomes $930.12 (60%) or $888.72 (100%).Generational Handbook (July 2024), pp. 15-16; SDCL 3-12C-1209
- A married Generational member needs the spouse's signature on the retirement application; without it, the member must take the 60% joint & survivor benefit. The choice cannot be changed after the second payment, even after divorce.SDCL 3-12C-1208, 3-12C-1210
Which rules apply depends on when you joined; see Foundation or Generational.
Foundation members
The automatic 60% spouse benefit
If you die after retirement, your eligible spouse gets 60% of the benefit being paid to you, for life, with COLAs. The spouse must have been married to you before your retirement date and for at least 12 months before your death. There's no reduction to your own check for it, and no other joint & survivor form to choose. Foundation Handbook (July 2024), p. 16, If you die after retirement; SDCL 3-12C-1114
The level income option
If you start between 55 and 62 you may take a higher payment through the month of your 62nd birthday and a lower one after, so that SDRS plus Social Security stays about level. It is the actuarial equivalent of the standard benefit. It significantly reduces the survivor benefit after 62, and reemployment reductions can distort it. Foundation Handbook (July 2024), pp. 12-13, Level Income Payment Option; SDCL 3-12C-1112
In words: from 55 to before 62, you'd take more each month while you wait for Social Security, then less from 62 for life. The total value is the same as the standard benefit.
SDRS doesn't publish how much higher the level income option pays before 62, or how much lower after, so we can't show those amounts.
What would settle it: SDRS level income factors or a sample estimate.
Generational members
The normal benefit is single-life. A married member may instead elect a 60% or 100% joint & survivor benefit, which is actuarially reduced based on both ages. The election is irrevocable once more than one payment has been made. A married member needs the spouse's signature; a member who cannot get it must take the 60% joint & survivor benefit. Generational Handbook (July 2024), p. 15, If you die after retirement; SDCL 3-12C-1208, 3-12C-1209, 3-12C-1210
- Single life: the most each month, for your life. Nothing continues to your spouse.
- 60% joint & survivor: a smaller check for your life; after you die, your spouse gets 60% of it for life.
- 100% joint & survivor: a smaller check still; after you die, your spouse gets the same amount for life.
SDRS's examples for a $1,000 single-life benefit
The Generational handbook prints these as published. Your own amounts scale with your benefit: double the single-life benefit, double the amounts. Any pair of ages not shown needs an SDRS estimate.
| Your age | Spouse's age | 60% J&S: you | Spouse after | 100% J&S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 52 | $942.29 | $565.37 | $879.88 |
| 57 | 57 | $942.59possible typo | $565.55 | $907.84 |
| 57 | 62 | $958.81 | $575.29 | $933.19 |
| 60 | 55 | $914.13 | $548.48 | $864.63 |
| 60 | 60 | $935.41 | $561.25 | $896.79 |
| 60 | 65 | $954.34 | $572.60 | $926.15 |
| 62 | 57 | $906.56 | $543.94 | $853.40 |
| 62 | 62 | $930.12 | $558.07 | $888.72 |
| 62 | 67 | $951.16 | $570.70 | $921.17 |
| 65 | 60 | $893.67 | $536.20 | $834.51 |
| 65 | 65 | $921.23 | $552.74 | $875.26 |
| 65 | 70 | $945.96 | $567.58 | $913.07 |
| 67 | 62 | $884.03 | $530.42 | $820.59 |
| 67 | 67 | $914.72 | $548.83 | $865.52 |
| 67 | 72 | $942.28 | $565.37 | $907.37 |
In the Generational joint & survivor examples, the 60% amount for a member of 57 with a spouse of 57 ($942.59) is only 30 cents above the amount with a spouse of 52 ($942.29). Every other row rises about $20 for each five years of spouse age. It may be a typo; we show it as printed.
Generational Handbook (July 2024), p. 16SDRS publishes joint & survivor amounts only for a $1,000 benefit at 15 pairs of ages. For any other ages we can't show the reduced amount.
What would settle it: SDRS joint & survivor factor tables or the actuarial equivalence basis.
The level income option is built around Social Security at 62; see SDRS and Social Security.
Buying more lifetime income
Supplemental Pension Benefit: retirees with at least $10,000 in SRP, SPP, VRA and/or contribution credit can buy an extra lifetime annuity (single life, or 60%/100% joint & survivor), with COLAs. Foundation Handbook (July 2024), p. 17; Generational Handbook (July 2024), p. 18; SDCL 3-12C-1501 to 3-12C-1511
The calculator shows your options with your own benefit. See also survivor benefits if you die before you retire.
Questions
What payment options does SDRS have?
Foundation members get a lifetime benefit with an automatic 60% benefit for an eligible surviving spouse, and may choose the level income option if they start before 62. Generational members get a single-life benefit unless they choose a reduced 60% or 100% joint & survivor benefit.
How much does a joint & survivor option cost a Generational member?
It depends on both ages. SDRS publishes examples for a $1,000 single-life benefit only. A member of 57 with a spouse of 52 would get $942.29 under the 60% option and $879.88 under the 100% option.
Can I change my option later?
For Generational members, the election can't be changed once more than one payment has been made.
Source: SDRS Class A Handbooks (Foundation and Generational members), July 2024, Foundation pp. 12-13, 16-17; Generational pp. 15-16, 18, 60. Also: SDCL §§ 3-12C-1112, 3-12C-1114, 3-12C-1208, 3-12C-1209, 3-12C-1210, 3-12C-1501, 3-12C-1511. Last reviewed .