Courts can issue orders that award benefits to legally separated spouses, former spouses, and children of current employees, former employees, and retirees under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS, Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), the Federal Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
The Office of Personnel Management instructs that agencies can prepare estimates of benefits that the employee has already earned. However, an employing agency cannot determine the proper division of benefits between spouses, or the “present value” of employee annuity (which must be determined by a private actuary). Also agencies do not provide estimates that involve speculation, or attempt to advise an employee, spouse, or attorney about how to draft a court order.
Resources for Court Ordered Benefits Information:
- Handbook for Attorneys on Court Ordered Retirement, Health Benefits, & Life Insurance
- CSRS & FERS Handbook, Chapter 5 – Court Orders
- Court Ordered Benefits For Former Spouses Brochure (RI 84-1)
- OPM Life Events Page – Separating/Divorce
- Health Insurance Coverage for Former Spouses Under TCC & Spouse Equity Act
- Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce
- Life Insurance Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Court Orders
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Life Events – Divorce, Annulment & Legal Separation
- TSP Court Orders & Powers of Attorney brochure