This is a voluntary benefit and it is to provide a monthly benefit for the life of the surviving spouse upon the death of the retiree. If the Spouse dies before the retiree, the retiree's monthly benefit reverts to the original amount as if no survivorship option had been taken.
If an active employee was married and was eligible to retire (i.e. had 25 years of creditable service, or was 55 or older with at least 3 years of creditable service) when the employee died, the employee's spouse would be entitled to receive a monthly benefit for life. This is called a Pre-Survivorship Option and is payable automatically unless the employee specifically requested, in writing, that it not be paid.
This application is for all eligible active participants who have at least 5 years or at least 10 years of pension service work or non-work related illness or injury and has received benefits for that particular disability for 26 weeks under the CTA’s Group Accident and Sickness Insurance.