50 USC 2032 - Annuities for former spouses

Collapse to view only § 2032. Annuities for former spouses

§ 2031. Computation of annuities
§ 2032. Annuities for former spouses
§ 2033. Election of survivor benefits for certain former spouses divorced as of
§ 2034. Survivor annuity for certain other former spouses
§ 2035. Retirement annuity for certain former spouses
§ 2036. Survivor annuities for previous spouses

§ 2031. Computation of annuities

(a) Annuity of participant

(1) Computation of annuityThe annuity of a participant is the product of—

(A) the participant’s high-3 average pay (as defined in paragraph (4)); and

(B) the number of years, not exceeding 35, of service credit (determined in accordance with sections 2081 and 2082 of this title) multiplied by 2 percent.

(2) Credit for unused sick leave

(3) Crediting of part-time service

(A) In general

(B) Computation of pre-April 7, 1986, annuity

(C) Computation of post-April 6, 1986, annuityThe portion of an annuity referred to in subparagraph (A) with respect to service after April 6, 1986, shall be the product of—

(i) the amount computed under paragraph (1), using the participant’s length of service after that date and the participant’s high-3 average pay, as determined by using the annual rate of basic pay that would be payable for full-time service; and

(ii) the ratio which the participant’s actual service after April 6, 1986 (as determined by prorating the participant’s total service after that date to reflect the service that was performed on a part-time basis) bears to the total service after that date that would be creditable for the participant if all the service had been performed on a full-time basis.

(D) Treatment of employment on temporary or intermittent basis

(4) High-3 average pay defined

(5) Computation of service

(b) Spouse or former spouse survivor annuity

(1) Reduction in participant’s annuity to provide spouse or former spouse survivor annuity

(A) General rule

(B) Joint election for waiver or reduction of spouse survivor annuity

(D) Unilateral elections in absence of spouse or former spouse

(2) Amount of reduction in participant’s annuity

(3) Amount of surviving spouse annuity

(A) In general

(B) Limitation

(1) Survivor annuity elections

(A) Election when spouse coverage waived at time of retirementA participant or former participant who retires after March 31, 1992 and who—

(i) is married at the time of retirement; and

(ii) elects at that time (in accordance with subsection (b)) to waive a survivor annuity for the spouse,

may, during the 18-month period beginning on the date of the retirement of the participant, elect to have a reduction under subsection (b) made in the annuity of the participant (or in such portion thereof as the participant may designate) in order to provide a survivor annuity for the participant’s spouse.

(B) Election when reduced spouse annuity electedA participant or former participant who retires after March 31, 1992, and—

(i) who, at the time of retirement, is married, and

(ii) who, at that time designates (in accordance with subsection (b)) that a portion of the annuity of such participant is to be used as the base for a survivor annuity,

may, during the 18-month period beginning on the date of the retirement of such participant, elect to have a greater portion of the annuity of such participant so used.

(2) Deposit required

(A) Requirement

(B) Amount of depositThe amount to be deposited with respect to an election under this subsection is the amount equal to the sum of the following:

(i) Additional cost to systemThe additional cost to the system that is associated with providing a survivor annuity under subsection (b) and that results from such election, taking into account—(I) the difference (for the period between the date on which the annuity of the participant or former participant commences and the date of the election) between the amount paid to such participant or former participant under this subchapter and the amount which would have been paid if such election had been made at the time the participant or former participant applied for the annuity; and(II) the costs associated with providing for the later election.

(ii) Interest

(3) Voiding of previous elections

(4) Reductions in annuity

(5) Rights and obligations resulting from reduced annuity election

(d) Annuities for surviving children

(1) Participants dying before April 1, 1992In the case of a retired participant who died before April 1, 1992, and who is survived by a child or children—

(A) if the retired participant was survived by a spouse, there shall be paid from the fund to or on behalf of each such surviving child an annuity determined under paragraph (3)(A); and

(B) if the retired participant was not survived by a spouse, there shall be paid from the fund to or on behalf of each such surviving child an annuity determined under paragraph (3)(B).

(2) Participants dying on or after April 1, 1992In the case of a retired participant who dies on or after April 1, 1992, and who is survived by a child or children—

(A) if the retired participant is survived by a spouse or former spouse who is the natural or adoptive parent of a surviving child of the participant, there shall be paid from the fund to or on behalf of each such surviving child an annuity determined under paragraph (3)(A); and

(B) if the retired participant is not survived by a spouse or former spouse who is the natural or adoptive parent of a surviving child of the participant, there shall be paid to or on behalf of each such surviving child an annuity determined under paragraph (3)(B).

(3) Amount of annuity

(A) The annual amount of an annuity for the surviving child of a participant covered by paragraph (1)(A) or (2)(A) of this subsection (or covered by paragraph (1)(A) or (2)(A) of section 2052(c) of this title) is the smallest of the following:

(i) 60 percent of the participant’s high-3 average pay, as determined under subsection (a)(4), divided by the number of children.

(ii) $900, as adjusted under section 2131 of this title.

(iii) $2,700, as adjusted under section 2131 of this title, divided by the number of children.

(B) The amount of an annuity for the surviving child of a participant covered by paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B) of this subsection (or covered by paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B) of section 2052(c) of this title) is the smallest of the following:

(i) 75 percent of the participant’s high-3 average pay, as determined under subsection (a)(4), divided by the number of children.

(ii) $1,080, as adjusted under section 2131 of this title.

(iii) $3,240, as adjusted under section 2131 of this title, divided by the number of children.

(4) Recomputation of child annuities

(A) In the case of a child annuity payable under paragraph (1), upon the death of a surviving spouse or the termination of the annuity of a child, the annuities of any remaining children shall be recomputed and paid as though the spouse or child had not survived the retired participant.

(B) In the case of a child annuity payable under paragraph (2), upon the death of a surviving spouse or former spouse or termination of the annuity of a child, the annuities of any remaining children shall be recomputed and paid as though the spouse, former spouse, or child had not survived the retired participant. If the annuity of a surviving child who has not been receiving an annuity is initiated or resumed, the annuities of any other children shall be recomputed and paid from that date as though the annuities of all currently eligible children were then being initiated.

(5) “Former spouse” defined

(e) Commencement and termination of child annuities

(1) Commencement

(2) Termination

(f) Participants not married at time of retirement

(1) Designation of persons with insurable interest

(A) Authority to make designation

(B) Reduction in participant’s annuity

(D) Recomputation of participant’s annuity on death of designated individual

(2) Election of survivor annuity upon subsequent marriage

(g) Effect of divorce after retirement

(1) Recomputation of retired participant’s annuity upon divorce

(2) Election of survivor annuity upon subsequent remarriage

(A) In general

(B) When annuity previously not (or not fully) reduced

(i) Election

(ii) Deposit required(I) The retired participant shall, within two years after the date of the remarriage (or by August 14, 1993 for any remarriage that occurred before August 14, 1991), deposit in the fund an amount determined by the Director, as nearly as may be administratively feasible, to reflect the amount by which the retired participant’s annuity would have been reduced if the election had been in effect since the date the annuity commenced, plus interest.(II) The annual rate of interest for each year during which the retired participant’s annuity would have been reduced if the election had been in effect since the date the annuity commenced shall be 6 percent.(III) If the retired participant does not make the deposit, the Director shall collect such amount by offset against the participant’s annuity, up to a maximum of 25 percent of the net annuity otherwise payable to the retired participant, and the retired participant is deemed to consent to such offset.(IV) The deposit required by this subparagraph may be made by the surviving spouse of the retired participant.

(h) Conditional election of insurable interest survivor annuity by participants married at the time of retirement

(1) Authority to make designation

(2) Reduction in participant’s annuity

Commencement of survivor annuity

(4) Recomputation of participant’s annuity on death of designated individual

(i) Coordination of annuities

(1) Surviving spouse

(2) Former spouse

(3) Surviving spouse of post-retirement marriage

(j) Supplemental survivor annuities

(1) Spouse of recalled annuitant

(2) Regulations

(k) Offset of annuities by amount of social security benefit

(l) Information from other agencies

(1) Other agenciesFor the purpose of ensuring the accuracy of the information used in the determination of eligibility for and the computation of annuities payable from the fund under this subchapter, at the request of the Director—

(A) the Secretary of Defense shall provide information on retired or retainer pay paid under title 10;

(B) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide information on pensions or compensation paid under title 38;

(C) the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide information contained in the records of the Social Security Administration; and

(D) the Secretary of Labor shall provide information on benefits paid under subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5.

(2) Limitation on information requested

(3) Limitation on uses of information

(m) Information on rights under systemThe Director shall, on an annual basis—

(1) inform each retired participant of the participant’s right of election under subsections (c), (f)(2), and (g); and

(2) to the maximum extent practicable, inform spouses and former spouses of participants, former participants, and retired participants of their rights under this chapter.

(Pub. L. 88–643, title II, § 221, as added Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, § 802, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3204; amended Pub. L. 103–178, title II, § 202(a)(4), Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2026; Pub. L. 116–92, div. E, title LXII, § 6202(a)(1), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2184.)

§ 2032. Annuities for former spouses

(a) Former spouse share of participant’s annuity

(1) Pro rata share

Unless otherwise expressly provided by a spousal agreement or court order under section 2094(b) of this title, a former spouse of a participant, former participant, or retired participant is entitled to an annuity—

(A) if married to the participant, former participant, or retired participant throughout the creditable service of the participant, equal to 50 percent of the annuity of the participant; or

(B) if not married to the participant throughout such creditable service, equal to that proportion of 50 percent of such annuity that is the proportion that the number of days of the marriage of the former spouse to the participant during periods of creditable service of such participant under this subchapter bears to the total number of days of such creditable service.

(2) Disqualification upon remarriage before age 55

(3) Commencement of annuity

(4) Termination of annuity

The annuity of such former spouse and the right thereto terminate on—

(A) the last day of the month before the month in which the former spouse dies or remarries before 55 years of age; or

(B) the date on which the annuity of the participant terminates (except in the case of an annuity subject to paragraph (5)(B)).

(5) Treatment of participant’s annuity

(A) Reduction in participant’s annuity

The annuity payable to any participant shall be reduced by the amount of an annuity under this subsection paid to any former spouse based upon the service of that participant. Such reduction shall be disregarded in calculating—

(i) the survivor annuity for any spouse, former spouse, or other survivor under this subchapter; and

(ii) any reduction in the annuity of the participant to provide survivor benefits under subsection (b) or under section 2031(b) of this title.

(B) Treatment when annuitant returns to service

(6) Disability annuitant

Notwithstanding paragraph (3), in the case of a former spouse of a disability annuitant—

(A) the annuity of that former spouse shall commence on the date on which the participant would qualify on the basis of the participant’s creditable service for an annuity under this subchapter (other than a disability annuity) or the date on which the disability annuity begins, whichever is later, and

(B) the amount of the annuity of the former spouse shall be calculated on the basis of the annuity for which the participant would otherwise so qualify.

(7) Election of benefits

(8) Limitation in case of multiple former spouse annuities

(b) Former spouse survivor annuity

(1) Pro rata share

Subject to any election under section 2031(b)(1)(B) and (C) of this title and unless otherwise expressly provided by a spousal agreement or court order under section 2094(b) of this title, if an annuitant is survived by a former spouse, the former spouse shall be entitled—

(A) if married to the annuitant throughout the creditable service of the annuitant, to a survivor annuity equal to 55 percent of the unreduced amount of the annuitant’s annuity, as computed under section 2031(a) of this title; and

(B) if not married to the annuitant throughout such creditable service, to a survivor annuity equal to that proportion of 55 percent of the unreduced amount of such annuity that is the proportion that the number of days of the marriage of the former spouse to the participant during periods of creditable service of such participant under this subchapter bears to the total number of days of such creditable service.

(2) Disqualification upon remarriage before age 55

(3) Commencement, termination, and restoration of annuity

(4) Survivor annuity amount

(A) Maximum amount

(B) Limitation on other survivor annuities based on service of same participant

(5) Effect of termination of former spouse entitlement

(A) Recomputation of participant’s annuity

(B) Election of spouse annuity

(1) In general

In the case of any participant providing a survivor annuity under subsection (b) for a former spouse—

(A) such participant may elect, or

(B) a spousal agreement or court order under section 2094(b) of this title may provide for,

an additional survivor annuity under this subsection for any other former spouse or spouse surviving the participant, if the participant satisfactorily passes a physical examination as prescribed by the Director.

(2) Limitation

(3) Contribution for additional annuities

(A) Provision of additional survivor annuity

In accordance with regulations which the Director shall prescribe, the participant involved may provide for any annuity under this subsection—

(i) by a reduction in the annuity or an allotment from the basic pay of the participant;

(ii) by a lump-sum payment or installment payments to the fund; or

(iii) by any combination thereof.

(B) Actuarial equivalence to benefit

If a former spouse predeceases the participant or remarries before attaining age 55 (or, in the case of a spouse, the spouse predeceases the participant or does not qualify as a former spouse upon dissolution of the marriage)—

(i) if an annuity reduction or pay allotment under subparagraph (A) is in effect for that spouse or former spouse, the annuity shall be recomputed and paid as if it had not been reduced or the pay allotment terminated, as the case may be; and

(ii) any amount accruing to the fund under subparagraph (A) shall be refunded, but only to the extent that such amount may have exceeded the actuarial cost of providing benefits under this subsection for the period such benefits were provided, as determined under regulations prescribed by the Director.

(D) Recomputation upon death or remarriage of former spouse

(4) Commencement and termination of additional survivor annuity

(5) Nonapplicability of COLA provision

(Pub. L. 88–643, title II, § 222, as added Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, § 802, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3212; amended Pub. L. 103–178, title II, § 202(a)(5), Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2026; Pub. L. 116–92, div. E, title LXII, § 6202(b), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2186.)

§ 2033. Election of survivor benefits for certain former spouses divorced as of November 15, 1982

(a) Former spouses as of November 15, 1982

(b) Time for making election

(1) If the participant or former participant has not retired under such system on or before November 15, 1982, an election under this section may be made at any time before retirement.

(2) If the participant or former participant has retired under such system on or before November 15, 1982, an election under this section may be made within such period after November 15, 1982, as the Director may prescribe.

(3) For the purposes of applying this subchapter, any such election shall be treated in the same manner as if it were a spousal agreement under section 2094(b) of this title.

(d) Reduction in participant’s annuity

(1) Computation

(2) Effective date of reduction

Such reduction shall be effective as of—

(A) the commencing date of the participant’s annuity, in the case of an election under subsection (b)(1); or

(B)November 15, 1982, in the case of an election under subsection (b)(2).

(Pub. L. 88–643, title II, § 223, as added Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, § 802, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3216.)

§ 2034. Survivor annuity for certain other former spouses

(a) Survivor annuity

(1) In generalAn individual who was a former spouse of a participant or retired participant on November 15, 1982, shall be entitled, except to the extent such former spouse is disqualified under subsection (b), to a survivor annuity equal to 55 percent of the greater of—

(A) the unreduced amount of the participant’s or retired participant’s annuity, as computed under section 2031(a) of this title; or

(B) the unreduced amount of what such annuity as so computed would be if the participant, former participant, or retired participant had not elected payment of the lump-sum credit under section 2143 of this title.

(2) Reduction in survivor annuity

(b) LimitationsA former spouse is not entitled to a survivor annuity under this section if—

(1) the former spouse remarries before age 55, except that the entitlement of the former spouse to such a survivor annuity shall be restored on the date such remarriage is dissolved by death, annulment, or divorce; or

(2) the former spouse is less than 50 years of age.

(1) Commencement of annuityThe entitlement of a former spouse to a survivor annuity under this section shall commence—

(A) in the case of a former spouse of a participant or retired participant who is deceased as of October 1, 1986, beginning on the later of—

(i) the 60th day after such date; or

(ii) the date on which the former spouse reaches age 50; and

(B) in the case of any other former spouse, beginning on the latest of—

(i) the date on which the participant or retired participant to whom the former spouse was married dies;

(ii) the 60th day after October 1, 1986; or

(iii) the date on which the former spouse attains age 50.

(2) Termination of annuity

(d) Application

(1) Time limit; waiver

(2) Retroactive benefits

(e) Restoration of annuity

(Pub. L. 88–643, title II, § 224, as added Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, § 802, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3217; amended Pub. L. 103–178, title II, § 202(a)(6), Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2026.)

§ 2035. Retirement annuity for certain former spouses

(a) Retirement annuityAn individual who was a former spouse of a participant, former participant, or retired participant on November 15, 1982, and any former spouse divorced after November 15, 1982, from a participant or former participant who retired before November 15, 1982, shall be entitled, except to the extent such former spouse is disqualified under subsection (b), to an annuity—

(1) if married to the participant throughout the creditable service of the participant, equal to 50 percent of the annuity of the participant; or

(2) if not married to the participant throughout such creditable service, equal to that former spouse’s pro rata share of 50 percent of such annuity.

(b) LimitationsA former spouse is not entitled to an annuity under this section if—

(1) the former spouse remarries before age 55, except that the entitlement of the former spouse to an annuity under this section shall be restored on the date such remarriage is dissolved by death, annulment, or divorce; or

(2) the former spouse is less than 50 years of age.

(1) Retirement annuitiesThe entitlement of a former spouse to an annuity under this section—

(A) shall commence on the later of—

(i) the day the participant upon whose service the right to the annuity is based becomes entitled to an annuity under this subchapter;

(ii) the first day of the month in which the divorce or annulment involved becomes final; or

(iii) such former spouse’s 50th birthday; and

(B) shall terminate on the earlier of—

(i) the last day of the month before the former spouse dies or remarries before 55 years of age, except that the entitlement of the former spouse to an annuity under this section shall be restored on the date such remarriage is dissolved by death, annulment, or divorce; or

(ii) the date on which the annuity of the participant terminates.

(2) Disability annuitiesNotwithstanding paragraph (1)(A)(i), in the case of a former spouse of a disability annuitant—

(A) the annuity of the former spouse shall commence on the date on which the participant would qualify on the basis of the participant’s creditable service for an annuity under this subchapter (other than disability annuity) or the date the disability annuity begins, whichever is later; and

(B) the amount of the annuity of the former spouse shall be calculated on the basis of the annuity for which the participant would otherwise so qualify.

(3) Election of benefits

(4) Application

(A) Time limit; waiver

(B) Retroactive benefits

(d) Restoration of annuities

(e) Savings provision

(Pub. L. 88–643, title II, § 225, as added Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, § 802, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3218; amended Pub. L. 103–178, title II, § 202(a)(7), Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2026.)

§ 2036. Survivor annuities for previous spouses

The Director shall prescribe regulations under which a previous spouse who is divorced after September 29, 1988, from a participant, former participant, or retired participant shall be eligible for a survivor annuity to the same extent and, to the greatest extent practicable, under the same conditions (including reductions to be made in the annuity of the participant) applicable to former spouses (as defined in section 8331(23) of title 5) of participants in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability System (CSRS) as prescribed by the Civil Service Retirement Spouse Equity Act of 1984.

(Pub. L. 88–643, title II, § 226, as added Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, § 802, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3220.)