Triggering Event

Triggering Event

1. A milestone that a person must attain to become eligible for a benefit or annuity. Usually the triggering event is retirement, but it could be reaching a chronological age, such as 65.

2. A movement in a security's price that causes an investor to become interested in trading that security. For example. if a stock were trading at $70, and the price moves to $75, a shareholder may become interested in selling his/her shares.

3. An event that changes the terms of an agreement or contract. For example, a student loan may include a provision forgiving the debt if the student to whom it is loaned dies. In this case, the triggering event is the student's death. See also: Act of God.