The Pension Shield Option™: Protecting Your Pension, Your Spouse, and Your Legacy by George McReynolds, CFP® and Jim Lusk, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CLF®, M.Ed.

Your pension is more than a paycheck, it's the foundation of your family’s future. For police officers, firefighters, and EMTs, choosing how to structure a pension is one of the most permanent financial decisions you will ever make. The Pension Shield Option™ reveals a smarter way to protect your spouse and preserve your income without sacrificing control of what you’ve earned. Drawing on decades of specialized experience in personal finance and public finance, financial planners George McReynolds and Jim Lusk break down the hidden costs of the traditional “survivor option” and present a proven, flexible alternative designed specifically for public safety professionals.

You’ll learn how to:

-Maintain your maximum pension income while still safeguarding your spouse.

-Replace the standard survivor option with tax-free, customizable coverage you own and control.

-Avoid permanent pay cuts and shrinking COLAs that quietly erode your retirement.

-Coordinate your pension with DROP, deferred compensation, and tax-efficient legacy strategies.

-Transform your pension into a protective shield that supports both income and inheritance.

Filled with real-world case files, tactical comparisons, and practical checklists, The Pension Shield Option™ equips first responders and their families to make their most important retirement decision with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re optimizing retirement investing, strengthening family protection, or focusing on long-term risk mitigation, this guide gives you the tools to take control of your financial future.

-Your pension should be a shield not a gamble. Before signing your retirement papers, learn how to protect what you’ve earned and secure the future you’ve worked for.