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Pension and Benefits Review

Your pension may be the largest financial decision you ever make, and
many people make it without fully understanding what they are choosing.
We walk through every option with you before anything is locked in.

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Why It Matters

One Decision, Decades of Impact

Pension and Benefits Review

Many pension elections are permanent. Once you submit your paperwork, choices like your payout option and survivor election usually cannot be changed, and the difference between options can shape your household income for decades.

Before you decide, we walk through every option together: what each one pays, what it protects, and what it means for the people who depend on you. You will understand the reasoning, not just the recommendation.

We work with public and private pension systems. If your pension runs through CalPERS or CalSTRS, our dedicated public employees guide covers the details specific to those systems.

Public sector pension? For CalPERS and CalSTRS members, service credit, sick leave conversion, and system-specific rules all shape your benefit. See our guide for public employees and educators.

What we review with you

Payout elections and what each option pays

Survivor benefit choices and spousal protection

Lump sum versus monthly comparisons

Timing and the long-term effect of each option

How your pension coordinates with Social Security and your other accounts

The beneficiary designations tied to your pension

Where This Fits

Part of The Peak Path

A pension review sits at the heart of the early climb: knowing exactly what you have, and
charting the route before any permanent decision is made.

1

Base Camp

We start by understanding your pension, your benefits, and your goals.

2

Map the Route

Your pension analysis anchors the roadmap we chart together.

3

The Ascent

When you decide, your elections are made with full clarity.

Explore the full Peak Path →

Common Questions

Good to Know Before You Start

When should I review my pension options?
Ideally one to two years before you plan to retire, so there is time to understand every option and coordinate the rest of your plan around it. That said, a review is valuable at any stage, even if retirement is still years away.
Do you only work with public pensions?
No. We work with both public and private pension systems. For public systems such as CalPERS and CalSTRS, we also maintain a dedicated guide covering the rules specific to those programs.
What should I bring to a pension review?
Your most recent pension statement or benefit estimate is the best starting point. If you have them, bring your Social Security estimate and statements for any other retirement accounts, so we can look at the full picture together.

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Ready to Start?

Ready to Take the First Step?

Every confident retirement begins at base camp. Let’s talk about
where you are and where you want to go.

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