There isn't a universal answer. Monthly income moves longevity and market risk off your plate; a lump sum offers control and flexibility but moves both back onto it. Lump sums are also calculated using interest rates, so the same benefit can be worth noticeably different amounts depending on when you retire. We model both options side by side against the rest of your plan before you decide.

For many Kaiser employees, retiree medical coverage begins at Medicare age, so an earlier retirement usually needs a plan to bridge health coverage. Those same years can also be a window to draw from the right accounts in the right order—and, for some, to convert savings to Roth at lower tax rates.

Kaiser pensions generally don't include an automatic cost-of-living adjustment, so a fixed check buys less over time. We often pair pension income with our Advanced Time Segmentation™ approach, which sets aside growth-oriented segments designed to help offset rising costs later in retirement.

Starting in 2026, if your FICA wages from your employer (Box 3 of your W-2) topped $150,000 in 2025, any catch-up contributions you make must go in as Roth. That applies to the regular age-50 catch-up and the larger age 60–63 catch-up. You pay tax on that money now rather than in retirement, so whether it helps depends on your tax rate today versus later. That’s something we can model with you before your next enrollment window.

Choosing a joint-and-survivor payout generally lowers your monthly check in exchange for continued income for your spouse. The election is typically permanent once payments begin, so we look at your spouse's own income, health, life insurance, and Social Security before you choose.

Yes. We're based in San Jose and work virtually with clients across the country. Plan rules differ by region and group—Southern California physicians, for example, have different plans than TPMG in Northern California—so every engagement starts with your own documents.