Braza v. Office of Personnel Management

Opinion for the court filed by Circuit Judge PROST, in which Chief Judge MICHEL and Circuit Judges MAYER, LOURIE, RADER, BRYSON, GAJARSA, LINN, and MOORE join.

PROST, Circuit Judge.

Elpidia L. Braza is the widow of a former government employee who retired under the Civil Service Retirement System (“CSRS”). In connection with his retirement, Mr. Braza completed and signed a standard retirement application form. On his form, Mr. Braza indicated that he elected to receive an annuity payable only *1317during his lifetime, and did not wish to reduce his annuity to provide a survivor annuity for his…