'Olin employees should regularly review their pension type, payout elections, and beneficiary designations to help align retirement income with long-term family goals and avoid unintended consequences for heirs.' – Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'Olin employees who understand the differences between DB and DC plans, along with the impact of survivor benefits, are better positioned to make informed decisions that can support both their retirement needs and their legacy goals.' – Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article we will discuss:

1. The differences between Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) pension plans.

2. How survivor benefits and payout options work for spouses and other beneficiaries.

3. What happens to pension and retirement account funds if no beneficiary is named or upon the retiree’s death.

When planning for retirement, many people focus on growing income while they are living. Yet, understanding what happens to your Fortune 500 pension after your death is equally important. The type of plan you have, the payment method you choose, and whether you have named a beneficiary will determine if—and to whom—your benefits can be passed on.

Social Security survivor benefits operate under different rules and are separate from pensions. This discussion focuses on workplace and private pensions, which often include survivorship clauses that, if structured properly, can provide continued financial support to loved ones.

What are the two main types of workplace pensions?

Defined Benefit (DB) Plan

Defined benefit plans promise specific monthly retirement payments based on service and salary, while defined contribution plans depend on contributions and investment performance. A DB plan promises a specific monthly payment at retirement, calculated based on factors like years of service and salary history. Fortune 500 is responsible for making sure the plan is funded and bears the investment risk. These are sometimes called “final salary” or “traditional pensions.”

What is a defined contribution plan?

In a DC plan, you, Fortune 500, or both contribute to your account. The final retirement amount depends on contributions and investment performance. You manage the investment risk, and income is determined by your withdrawal plan and account balance. Examples include 401k, 403b, and 457 plans.

Passing on Defined Contribution Benefits

In most cases, DC plans are straightforward to pass on. If you die before using the full balance, your named beneficiary inherits the remaining amount. Under the SECURE Act, most non‑spouse beneficiaries must withdraw the full balance within ten years, while spouses often have rollover flexibility. If you have no beneficiary listed, the balance may go to your estate, potentially increasing taxes and delaying access.

What payment choice applies to married DB plan retirees?

Federal law generally requires a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity as the default payout, ensuring the spouse receives income after the retiree's death. Federal law generally requires a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity (QJSA) as the default payout form for married DB plan participants unless the spouse consents to another choice. This makes sure your spouse continues to receive income after your passing.

Common DB payout options include:

• Joint and Survivor Annuity:  You receive lifetime payments; your spouse continues to receive a percentage (generally 50%, 75%, or 100%) for life after your death.

• Life with Period‑Certain Annuity:  You get lifetime payments, and your spouse or beneficiary receives payments for the remainder of a guaranteed term if you pass first.

• Guaranteed Minimum Payment:  Provides a fixed number of total payments; any remaining payments go to your spouse if you pass away early.

• Joint and Contingent Survivor Annuity:  Allows a beneficiary other than your spouse (with spousal consent) or a custom continuation percentage.

Should single retirees choose a lump sum over an annuity?

For single retirees without dependents, a lump sum payout may be preferable to an annuity, as many single‑life annuities stop payments at death.

Benefits of lump sum payouts:

• Investment control is in your hands.

• Ability to name heirs for remaining funds.

• Potential to roll over to an IRA for tax deferral.

• Risks of lump sum payouts:

• Mismanagement could deplete funds too soon.

• Investment returns are not assured.

What happens to pension benefits with no beneficiary named?

Without a beneficiary, single-life annuity payments stop at death; term-certain annuities may pay remaining guaranteed amounts to the estate, potentially causing probate delays and unfavorable tax treatment. If a DB single‑life annuity is chosen, payments stop upon death. With a term‑certain annuity, any remaining guaranteed payments may go to your estate. In a DC plan, the balance may default to your estate, possibly leading to probate delays and less favorable tax treatment.

What happens to pension benefits if death occurs during retirement?

DB payment options determine outcomes: single-life annuities end immediately, joint-life annuities continue to the spouse, period-certain options pay for the guaranteed term; DC balances transfer to beneficiaries with ten-year withdrawal requirements for nonspouses. For DB plans, your chosen payment option and beneficiary designation determine what happens. Single‑life annuities end immediately; joint‑life annuities continue to pay the surviving spouse. Period‑certain options pay beneficiaries for the rest of the guaranteed term. For their part, DC plans transfer the remaining balance to the beneficiary, with non‑spouse heirs generally required to withdraw within ten years.

Key Takeaways for Fortune 500 Employees

Regardless of whether you have a DB or DC plan, planning ahead is essential:

• - Keep beneficiary information current.

• - Understand how payout options affect survivor benefits.

• - Be aware of tax rules for inherited pensions and retirement accounts.

• - Seek professional guidance before making irreversible decisions.

By making informed choices, you can make sure your Fortune 500 pension serves both your retirement needs and the legacy you want to leave for loved ones.

Dividing retirement assets in a QDRO proceeding requires a clear understanding of what Olin offers through its benefit programs. A central element of your benefits is that Olin has frozen its defined benefit pension to new accruals, meaning your benefit is based on service and compensation accumulated up to the freeze date - but the value already locked in remains a meaningful asset worth analyzing. If a lump sum option is available, IRS segment rates in effect during the plan's lookback period directly affect the present value calculation; rising rates reduce the lump sum amount, so the rate environment at your retirement date matters. Understanding the annuity equivalent of your frozen benefit and comparing it to a potential lump sum is an important step in sequencing your retirement income from multiple sources.

The healthcare benefits at Olin deserve careful attention: Olin provides continued medical coverage to eligible retirees, which can bridge the gap between retirement and Medicare eligibility at age 65 or serve as a supplement to Medicare thereafter. Confirming the service and age requirements for retiree coverage, and understanding your premium contribution, is an important step in building an accurate healthcare cost projection. Coordinating Olin's retiree coverage with Medicare Part B and Part D enrollment timing can also reduce duplication and avoid late-enrollment penalties. Integrating all of your Olin benefits into one cohesive retirement plan ensures nothing is overlooked and gives you confidence in the path ahead.

Sources:

1. Employee Benefits Security Administration.  What You Should Know About Your Retirement Plan . U.S. Department of Labor, n.d. pp. 6, 9–10, 21–22, 32.

2. Internal Revenue Service.  Publication 590-B: Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) . IRS, 19 Mar. 2026, pp. 7–12, 9–10.

3. Social Security Administration.  Survivors Benefits . Social Security Administration, Apr. 2026, pp. 5–6, 8–9, 10.