### Question
How is the term qualified preretirement survivor annuity defined?


### Answer
The term **qualified preretirement survivor annuity** is defined in *26 U.S.C. § 417* as the following:

> a survivor annuity for the life of the surviving spouse of the participant if—


(A) the payments to the surviving spouse under such annuity are not less than the amounts which would be payable as a survivor annuity under the qualified joint and survivor annuity under the plan (or the actuarial equivalent thereof) if—


(i) in the case of a participant who dies after the date on which the participant attained the earliest retirement age, such participant had retired with an immediate qualified joint and survivor annuity on the day before the participant's date of death, or


(ii) in the case of a participant who dies on or before the date on which the participant would have attained the earliest retirement age, such participant had—


(I) separated from service on the date of death,


(II) survived to the earliest retirement age,


(III) retired with an immediate qualified joint and survivor annuity at the earliest retirement age, and


(IV) died on the day after the day on which such participant would have attained the earliest retirement age, and


  

(B) under the plan, the earliest period for which the surviving spouse may receive a payment under such annuity is not later than the month in which the participant would have attained the earliest retirement age under the plan

#### Citation:
  - *26 U.S.C. § 417*
  - Heading: **Subtitle A-Income Taxes > CHAPTER 1-NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES > Subchapter D-Deferred Compensation, Etc. > PART I-PENSION, PROFIT-SHARING, STOCK BONUS PLANS, ETC. > Subpart B-Special Rules**

