I retired in 1999 from a Hospital in Akron, Ohio. At the time of retirement I was given the option of choosing to receive my full retirement pay or to receive a reduced amount in order to provide my wife with a continued retirement check in case of my death. This was the option I chose. My wife predeceased me. I called my former employer to inform them that she had passed away and that my contribution from my retirement pay should discontinue. I was told I couldn't stop receiving the reduced rate and that I would continue to receive the reduced amount. A year and a half later I remarried. I again called my former employer to designate my new wife as my beneficiary since I was still paying for it. I was told she could not be designated as my beneficiary because it only applied to my first wife. Sounds like a catch 22 situation only to benefit my former employer.