Survivor Benefit Plan Calculator

When you retire under FERS, you can protect part of your pension for your spouse if you pass first. Enter your monthly pension to compare both survivor benefit options: what your spouse would receive and what each option costs you.

Monthly FERS Pension

$/mo

Your FERS pension at retirement, before the survivor benefit cost. Your Age at Retirement

years

Used to label each year of the table. Assumed Annual COLA

FERS cost-of-living adjustments generally begin at age 62. Enter 0 to see today’s dollars.

Your Spouse’s Survivor Benefit

Full Survivor Benefit (50%)

$0/mo

Monthly benefit to spouse

Monthly cost to you: $0
Annual cost to you: $0
Your pension after cost: $0

Partial Survivor Benefit (25%)

$0/mo

Monthly benefit to spouse

Monthly cost to you: $0
Annual cost to you: $0
Your pension after cost: $0

Selecting either option allows your spouse to remain eligible for FEHB health coverage if you pass first (assuming you meet the requirements to keep FEHB). A current spouse is entitled to the full survivor benefit. Choosing partial or no survivor benefit requires your spouse’s notarized consent.

Year-by-Year Illustration

Year #	Age	Monthly Pension	Full Survivor Benefit (50%)				Partial Survivor Benefit (25%)
Year #	Age	Monthly Pension	Monthly Benefit to Spouse	Monthly Cost to Retiree	Annual Cost to Retiree	Total Cost to Retiree	Monthly Benefit to Spouse	Monthly Cost to Retiree	Annual Cost to Retiree	Total Cost to Retiree

How it works under FERS: the full survivor benefit pays your spouse 50% of your unreduced pension and reduces your pension by 10%. The partial survivor benefit pays 25% and reduces your pension by 5%. The reduction continues for life; it ends only if the marriage ends (for example, your spouse dies first or you divorce) and you notify OPM. Both the benefit and the cost rise with COLAs. CSRS rules differ. This is an educational illustration, not a guarantee of benefits. For a personalized analysis, request a Federal Retirement Report.

How the Survivor Benefit Plan Calculator Works

Enter your monthly pension and age at retirement to compare both survivor benefit options side by side: what your spouse would receive, and what each option costs you over time.

What Your SBP Election Means

The math is the easy part. The choice isn’t only full or partial: some retirees elect the partial benefit to keep more of their pension, then fill the gap with a separate plan they control. That adds flexibility, and less is lost if your spouse passes first. Whether it fits depends on your health, your spouse’s needs and protecting FEHB. That’s the conversation we help you have.

New to federal benefits? Start with our Federal Retirement Workshop or learn what makes Stonebridge different.

Frequently Asked Questions About the FERS Survivor Benefit Plan

How does the FERS survivor benefit work?

The full benefit pays your spouse 50% of your pension and costs you 10%. The partial benefit pays 25% and costs 5%.

What happens to FEHB if I don’t elect one?

Your spouse loses it when you die. Even the partial benefit protects it.

Can I change my election later?

Only within short windows after your pension starts.

Is the full benefit always best?

Not always. It depends on your ages, health and goals, and we can compare the options with your numbers.

Ready to see how the pieces fit together for your specific situation?

Get Your Federal Retirement Report

How We Help Federal Employees Decide About SBP

A Personalized Federal Retirement Roadmap

We bring together your pension, TSP, FEHB, FEGLI, survivor benefits, Social Security, and retirement timing into one coordinated retirement plan.
You’ll see where you stand today, the options available to you, your projected retirement income, and a retirement timeline you can move toward with confidence.

Plain-Language Guidance, Not Sales Pressure

Federal retirement is complicated enough without jargon, sales tactics, or manufactured urgency.
We explain your options clearly, answer your questions honestly, and help you understand the trade-offs before making decisions.
Decisions happen at your pace, not ours.

Colorado-Based Federal Retirement Specialists

Stonebridge is based in the Denver metro area and serves federal employees throughout Colorado’s Front Range.
Meet with us in person at our Inverness office or virtually from anywhere in Colorado.
When questions arise, you’ll have a local team you can reach, not a national call center.

Serving Federal Employees Across The Colorado Front Range

Stonebridge is based in the Denver metro area and works with federal employees throughout Colorado’s Front Range.

Our clients serve in a wide range of federal agencies and organizations across the state, including the Denver Federal Center, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Buckley Space Force Base, the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Mint, NREL, NOAA, NIST, and many others.

We meet with clients in person at our Inverness office and virtually throughout Colorado.

Primary Service Area

Denver · Littleton · Highlands Ranch · Centennial · Lakewood · Englewood · Parker · Castle Rock · Aurora · Arvada · Westminster · Broomfield · Thornton · Wheat Ridge · Golden · Lone Tree

Extended Service Area

Colorado Springs · Boulder · Fort Collins · Loveland · Greeley · Pueblo

Get Your Federal Retirement Report

Workshop attendees are eligible to receive a personalized Federal Retirement Report at no cost and with no obligation. Built around your service history and benefits, it shows where you stand today and the decisions ahead: your pension, Social Security, survivor benefit, FEGLI, TSP and FEHB.

Register for an upcoming workshop to get started.

Get Your Federal Retirement Report

Can’t make a workshop? Contact us.