Yes. If you are married, your spouse must be your beneficiary unless he or she agrees to waive the benefit. If your spouse agrees or if you are single, you may name any individual as your beneficiary. The amount of your pension will then be reduced depending on the difference in age between you and your beneficiary, as well as the percentage amount which you choose to leave (either 50%, 75% or 100% of your benefit). Upon your death, your beneficiary would then continue to receive a monthly benefit for the rest of his or her life. Note that as of June 26, 2013, if you are legally married (based on the law of the state of celebration of the marriage) to an individual of the same sex, you and your spouse will be treated the same as spouses of the opposite sex, regardless of your state of residence.
