Pension Maximization

Definition of "Pension maximization"

Sharon Skinner Premier Sothebys International Realty

Plan under which life insurance is substituted for retirement income. Under the plan, a married individual selects a single life annuity payout from the pension plan, which will generate the maximum monthly income benefit while that individual is alive, with nothing being paid to the surviving spouse after the death of that individual. The higher income generated from the single life annuity, compared with that from a joint life and survivor ship annuity, is used to buy a life insurance policy on the married individual's life. If this individual dies first, the proceeds of the policy will be used to purchase an annuity for the lifetime of the spouse. Should the spouse die first, the married individual still has the higher income benefit from the single life annuity.