Make sure all these items are addressed when seeking a benefit award from former spouse's pension.
- Ask for the important information about your spouse's pension and retirement benefits timely.
- Obtain information about every retirement benefit that might be marital property.
- Obtain information about all pension plan features.
- Ask for a survivor benefit.
- Learn how retirement benefits are usually divided under state law.
- Be aware what your former husband might do that would reduce or eliminate your share of the benefits.
- Explain how your remarriage might affect your benefits. Explore unusual legal requirements or loopholes that could result in the pension order being rejected by the plan administrator.
- Have the proposed pension order pre-approved by the plan before being sent to court.
- Follow up to make sure that the final pension order is sent to the plan and officially accepted.
Evan Landau,
QDRO Technician