Divorce
Members who are in the process of obtaining a divorce often request OPERS to calculate the present value of their retirement benefit. If the member does not have enough service credit to be eligible to elect a vested benefit, OPERS can only provide the amount of a member’s accumulated contributions. If the member does have enough service credit to be eligible to elect a vested benefit, OPERS cannot determine the present value of a member’s retirement benefit. However, OPERS will, upon request, provide:
- The information which an actuary will need to calculate the present value of the member’s retirement benefit; or
- The amount of monthly benefit the member would receive based on the member’s service to date and the date the member would be eligible to receive the benefit.
To make this request, members may complete the Divorce Benefit Valuation Request form. This information can be obtained from OPERS approximately 14 days after receipt of a written request. OPERS will not release this information to anyone, including the member’s attorney without the written consent of the member. This information will not be released over the telephone under any circumstances. Information contained in a member’s file may be obtained through subpoena or court order.
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) :
Beneficiary Designation
A divorce will void the designation of your spouse as your beneficiary. Once a divorce is final, complete a new Beneficiary Designation form, dated after the date of the divorce decree, designating a new beneficiary. You may choose to keep your former spouse as your beneficiary. You must, however, complete a new form dated after the date of the divorce decree, renaming your divorced spouse.