Ask Terry Questions Pension spousal benefits when there is no spouse

Pension spousal benefits when there is no spouse

By Terry Savage on October 12, 2025 | Financial Planning / Retirement

Is it best to leave the lump sum in IMRF since they’re rock solid fund and will give me $131 per month for life or take the $16,000 minus taxes and reinvest it myself

Terry Says

There’s a third choice, I presume. You could do a direct rollover to an IRA — even at a bank, and keep the money growing tax-deferred until you take it out. You would have to start taking it out at age 73.

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