You may choose any person as your named survivor. Your named survivor can be changed or removed only if ETF receives your written request to change your annuity option within 60 days after the date of your first payment. After that, it cannot be changed.

  • If you choose your spouse or registered domestic partner as your named survivor, you may remove them at any time by submitting a valid 0% Qualified Domestic Relations Order to ETF. See the How Divorce Can Affect Your WRS Benefits (ET-4925) for more information. You cannot choose a new named survivor.
  • If you choose anyone other than your spouse or registered domestic partner as your named survivor, you can never remove them after the initial 60-day period. Your choice is then irrevocable.

Choosing a Named Survivor

If you want to choose a named survivor who is not your spouse, ETF looks at the number of years between you and your named survivor. To do this, we look at the age each of you will turn in the year your monthly WRS benefit is effective, and then subtract your named survivor’s age from yours. We don’t count the actual years, months, and days between your two birth dates. 

  • The age difference must be no more than 19 years younger for the 75% Continued to a Named Survivor or the Reduced 25% on Death of Annuitant options.
  • The age difference must be no more than 10 years younger for the 100% Continued to a Named Survivor or the 100% continued to Named Survivor with 180 Payments Guaranteed options. 
  • Again, there is no age limit if you choose a non-spouse named survivor who is older than you are.

Example 1:  You want to name a younger non-spouse named survivor.  

First, we calculate how much older you are than your named survivor. The calculation is based on the age you and your survivor turn on your birthdays in the year the monthly benefit is effective. This will always be a round number, like 5 or 12.

  • In the year their benefit is effective, the ETF member, on their birthday, will turn 60 years old. The non-spouse named survivor, on their birthday, will turn 52.
  • 60 - 52 = 8
  • Because the age difference is 8 years, this member can choose any of the WRS Joint and Named Survivor annuity options with this named survivor.  

Example 2: You want to name your child as a non-spouse named survivor.

  • In the year their benefit is effective, the ETF member, on their birthday, will turn 60 years old. The named survivor, on their birthday, will turn 30.
  • 60 - 30 = 30
  • Because the age difference is 30 years, this member cannot choose any of the WRS Joint and Named Survivor annuity options with this named survivor. 
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