Consumer Agenda for Retirement Security

Initiative #5: Make retirement plans fairer for workers and their spouses

G. Protect former spouses of federal workers.

The Office of Personnel Management which administers the Civil Service and Federal Employees Retirement systems does not generally permit the resubmission of domestic relations orders that have been modified and will not accept court orders that are issued beyond certain time periods.  The Administration should direct the Office of Personnel Management to accept domestic relations orders regardless of when they are issued and to accept modifications of such orders.  Also, the unnecessary notice deadline should be removed for special survivor annuity benefits based on marriage prior to 1984 for spouses who otherwise meet the substantive requirements.

Learn more about the other initiatives in the Consumer Agenda for Retirement Security.

Initiative 1: Promote a more adequate and secure private retirement income system.
Initiative 2: Empower workers to promote their own retirement security.
Initiative 3: Improve retirement savings plans.
Initiative 4: Improve traditional and hybrid pension plans.
Initiative 5: Make retirement plans fairer for workers and their spouses.

Print the Consumer Agenda for Retirement Security [PDF].