05/17/13

State Plans and Survivor Rights Information

Alabama Retirement Systems of Alabama What is required on benefit election forms? Spousal consent not required. Notes: Default option provides no survivor benefit. Source: AL State Code: §36.27.16 AL Administrative Code: 800-2-1-03 Alaska Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits What is required on benefit election forms? Spousal consent required Notes: Survivor benefit provided by default. […]


05/07/13

State Retirement System Rules on “Spousal Consent”

Does your husband or wife work in a job covered by a state retirement system? If so, it is important for you to know if you have a say in whether you will receive a pension if you outlive your spouse. In private-sector pension plans, husbands and wives who outlive their spouses automatically receive a […]


06/29/11

State Retirement Plans and Divorce Information

Alabama Retirement Systems of Alabama Allows court orders No Offers model court order? n/a If so, what kind of order? n/a Publications   Alaska Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits Allows court orders Yes Offers model court order? Yes If so, what kind of order? QDRO Divorce Information   Arizona Arizona State Retirement System Allows […]


12/22/10

State Retirement Plans and Divorce

Each state retirement system has its own rules relating to the division of state employees’ pensions in divorce proceedings. Below is basic information on each state retirement system’s rules. Why does this matter? A pension can be the most valuable asset of a marriage. When going through a divorce, both parties to the marriage should know whether the state government employee’s pension or […]


12/21/10

Pension Rights After Divorce

A pension earned during marriage is generally considered to be a joint asset of both spouses. However, it is up to state divorce courts to decide whether and how pension assets are divided, and whether survivors benefits are payable. Except in the case of Social Security and Tier I Railroad Retirement benefits, a court order is necessary for someone who […]


12/21/10

Pension Inequities Targeting Women

Private Retirement Plans Inequity:  A wife will lose her right to a share of the money in her husband’s 401(k) plan if her husband leaves the job that sponsors the plan and cashes out the account or rolls it over into an IRA.  The wife’s consent is not required.  With 401(k) money increasingly becoming the […]