What Is the Settlement Method for Options on the S&P 500 Index?

Options on the S&P 500 index (SPX) are exclusively cash-settled. Since the index is a non-deliverable theoretical basket of stocks, physical delivery is impossible.

The settlement is based on the difference between the final settlement value of the index and the option's strike price.

What Is the Difference between a Physically Settled and a Cash-Settled Futures Contract?
What Is the Difference between “Cash-Settled” and “Physically-Settled” Crypto Futures?
Name One Common Type of Derivative Contract That Exclusively Uses Cash Settlement
What Is a “Non-Deliverable Forward” (NDF) and How Is It Similar to Cash-Settled Crypto Futures?
Can a Perpetual Swap Be Physically Settled?
Differentiate between a Physically-Settled and a Cash-Settled Option Contract
What Is a Non-Deliverable Forward (NDF) and What Is Its Settlement Mechanism?
Why Are Most Cryptocurrency Index Options Cash-Settled?

Glossar