the amount of contributions made by the participant, the experience of the Fund, and the form of distribution elected by the participant. The amount of an annuity may be adjusted to reflect the experience of the Fund as necessary to protect the financial integrity of the Fund, except that annuity payments for those in pay status shall not be reduced more than 5 percent per year unless the Fund is faced with a significant financial hardship and the Secretary has approved the reduction. (2) Annuity A USA Retirement Fund shall pay benefits in accordance with one of the following: (A) In the case of a participant who does not die before the annuity starting date, the benefit payable to such participant shall be provided in the form of a qualified joint and survivor annuity (as defined in section 205(d)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1055(d)(1) )). (B) In the case of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date and who has a surviving spouse, a qualified preretirement survivor annuity (as defined in section 205(d)(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1055(d)(2) )) shall be provided to the surviving spouse of such participant. (C) In lieu of a qualified joint and survivor annuity form of benefit or the qualified preretirement survivor annuity form of benefit (or both), a participant may elect to receive a distribution described in subsection (f)(2) if one of the following conditions are met: (i) (I) The spouse of the participant consents in writing to the election. (II) Such election designates a beneficiary (or form of benefits) which may not be changed without spousal consent (or the consent of the spouse expressly permits designations by the participant without any requirement of further consent by the spouse). (III) The spouse’s consent acknowledges the effect of such election and is witnessed by a plan representative or a notary public. (ii) It is established to the satisfaction of a Fund representative that the consent required