[Rainger99]

I have to make a decision on my pension.

I have the following options.

Please note that x changes below.

Single life annuity. I get x every month until I die.

10 year certain amount and life annuity. Pays out for my lifetime and fixed amount for 10 years. X here is about 94% of single live annuity.

50% joint and survivor annuity. I get x for my lifetime and wife gets .5x for her life. X here is 87% of single live annuity.

75% joint and survivor annuity. I get x for my lifetime and wife gets .75x for her life.
X is 81% of single live annuity.

100% joint and survivor annuity. I get x and my wife gets x for her life. X is 76% of single live annuity amount.

Lumpsum. A lumpsum payment. This would amount to 124 months of the single live annuity.

I am thinking the best choice is a lumpsum payment.

On all of the other choices (except for the 10 year certain amount and life annuity), if my wife and I die in a car crash a month after taking the pension, I am leaving a lot of money with the company. On the other hand, if we live 30 more years, we would do pretty well with the 100% joint and survivor annuity.

Any recommendations or suggestions? Thanks.