Five structured questions designed to surface what most educators never think to ask before their pension election.
01
The Dollar Difference
Do you know the exact dollar difference between your Member-Only Benefit and your survivor option?
02
Private Life Insurance
Have you ever been quoted on private life insurance coverage to protect your beneficiary independently?
03
Irrevocability
Do you know whether your pension survivor election is irrevocable — and what that means for your spouse if they predecease you?
04
Cumulative Cost
Have you calculated the cumulative cost of the survivor reduction over a 20–25 year retirement?
05
Educational Conversation
Have you had an educational conversation with a CalSTRS pension specialist — not just your HR department?
Who This Checklist Is Designed For
If any of these describe you, this checklist was built with your situation in mind.
Retiring Within 1–3 Years
CalSTRS members retiring within 1–3 years.
Married Educators with Dependents
Married educators with a spouse or dependents to protect.
Facing a Pending Pension Election
Anyone facing a pending pension election who has not seen all their options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about this resource.
Is this checklist financial advice?
No. It is an educational tool designed to help you ask better questions — not to tell what to decide. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice.
Is it really free?
Yes. No hidden obligations, no required call, no sales follow-up unless you request one.
Do I need to schedule anything to get it?
No. Download directly — no meeting required.
What if I have already made my pension election?
The checklist may still be useful for adjacent decisions and future planning conversations.
Does Retirement Nationwide, Inc. sell products?
Our process begins with education. If an individual’s analysis supports a private solution, we discuss those options — but only after a thorough review of your specific situation, and always from a fiduciary perspective.
How long does it take to complete?
Most people work through it in 20–30 minutes. It is designed to be revisited as your situation evolves.
Can I share it with my spouse?
Absolutely — recommended. Retirement decisions affect more than one person.
Not ready to download yet? Start with a conversation.
A no-obligation educational review of your CalSTRS pension options — at no cost.
This content is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice and should not be relied upon as such. Insurance products and their suitability depend on individual circumstances. No agent-client relationship is created by accessing this content. Consult a licensed insurance professional before making any insurance or pension-related decisions.