In many divorces, the court will order that retirement plan benefits be divided between the spouse who participates in the retirement system and the spouse who is not a participant.
- The purpose of a domestic relations order (DRO) is to allow TRS to pay the spouse or former spouse directly as an alternate payee.
- TRS cannot issue a payment directly to an alternate payee, even if the court awards an interest in the participant’s retirement plan benefits to the alternate payee, unless the court enters a DRO.
- TRS must also determine the DRO to be a "qualified" domestic relations order (QDRO).
- Approval (or qualification) of a DRO by TRS ensures that the alternate payee will receive the portion awarded by the court at the appropriate time (usually, after TRS begins distributions to the participant).
- Although a judge signs a DRO, it is TRS that determines whether that order is qualified.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Will My TRS Retirement Plan Benefits Be Divided?
- What Account Information Can TRS Provide?
- What Is a TRS Model Domestic Relations Order (DRO)?
- What Information Is Needed When Preparing TRS Model Domestic Relations Order (DRO)?
- What Is Required To Verify Social Security Numbers of the Parties for TRS?
- What Documents Does TRS Need?
- What Is the Review Process for a Domestic Relations Order (DRO)?
- How Is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) Terminated?
- What Other Actions May Be Taken in a Divorce Proceeding?
Helpful Topics:
The following topics may be helpful for participants and spouses, former spouses of participants, or their attorneys, in a divorce proceeding.
- Explanation of the Model Domestic Relations Order
- TRS Model Domestic Relations Order for Active Members
- TRS Model Domestic Relations Order for Retirees
- TRS 629 - Verification of Social Security Number for Qualification of a Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) Form
- TRS 629I - Omitting Social Security Numbers from Domestic Relations Orders (Instructions)