Resources on the Division of Retirement Benefits at Divorce
Private retirement plans typically have provisions relating to benefits payable to a spouse, former spouse, or a named beneficiary at divorce. These provisions may differ depending on the type of plan. It’s important to notify the administrator of your plan of any change in your family status since this can determine the form of benefit you or your spouse or former spouse will receive.
Many women are unable to access benefits awarded to them by a divorce decree because they do not know they must also obtain a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO), cannot obtain one, or obtain one that is insufficient. Even worse, some women do not know that they may be entitled to a portion of their spouse’s retirement benefits or are afraid to ask for it.
The Initiative on Women and Retirement at Divorce has compiled these resources that are intended to educate consumers about the division of retirement benefits divorce:
