When choosing a plan you should also remember your surviving spouse will be entitled to a survivor benefit, which is completely separate (and unaffected) by the plan you select. Please refer to the "Survivor Benefits" FAQs for more details.

Single Life Annuity - This option is the highest amount to which you are entitled. However, benefits under this plan are only paid for your life. The other options described below lowers the pension payable for your life and provides for a beneficiary, such as your spouse, after your death.

Joint and Survivor - This option pays you an amount lower than your single life annuity for your life, but unlike a single life annuity, an amount is paid to your beneficiary after your death. The payment to you is reduced because your pension calculation is based on the combined life expectancies of you and your designated beneficiary. This amount would be paid in addition to any survivor benefit.

Period Certain - Like the Joint and Survivor Annuity, this plan pays you a lower benefit and an amount to your beneficiary. However it differs because it pays your beneficiary the same amount you were receiving for a guaranteed period. For instance, a member picks this plan with a twenty year guarantee and the member is entitled to $4,000 per month. If the member then dies 5 years after retirement, his/her beneficiary will receive $4,000 per month for 15 more years and then payments would cease. If the member lives beyond 20 years, he/she will continue to receive $4,000 per month for life but nothing would go to the beneficiary.

Partial Lump Sum (PLUS) - This option allows a member the opportunity to withdraw cash or rollover into a qualified tax plan from his/her pension account. Just remember, any amount you withdraw will lower your monthly pension. HPRS would be happy to give you an estimate so you can understand the effects. Since the existence of DROP, you are encouraged to talk with the executive director about the benefits of this plan before selecting it.

You should contact the HPRS office for any questions or concerns.

For the purpose of contribution rates, benefit eligibilty, etc., as a DROP participant, you are not retired until you terminate employment with the State Highway Patrol.