Federal Employee Divorce and FERS Retirement Pension, TSP, and Survivor Benefits

Going through a divorce as a federal employee involves understanding how your federal pension and TSP, along with other federal benefits such as the FERS Supplement, are treated during the divorce proceedings.

Understanding Federal Employee Retirement Systems

FERS, established in 1987, covers most federal employees, incorporating social security, a basic annuity, and the TSP.

Impact of Divorce on FERS Benefits

A divorce can significantly impact your FERS benefits. Your former spouse might be entitled to a portion of the federal FERS plan, TSP, and even survivor benefits. The exact distribution is typically determined by a divorce decree and any related court order.

Legal Framework: Court Orders and Acceptable Processing

A court order acceptable for processing (COAP) is required by OPM to divide the pension benefits. This order must precisely outline how the annuity, TSP, and survivor benefits are to be split.

Thrift Savings Plan and Divorce

After a divorce, the TSP account is typically divided according to the order from the courts. Usually, a separate account is created for the former spouse to manage their share of the retirement savings.