How to Amend or Modify a COAP After Divorce
OPM rejected your court order or your divorce terms changed? Learn how to get an amended COAP accepted by OPM under 5 CFR 838 and what the effective date rules mean.
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All articles about Former Spouses of Federal Employees: Claiming Your Annuity Share, Survivor Annuity & FEHB.
COAP Former Spouse: What to Do When Your Ex Retires
Your ex-spouse is retiring from federal service. Here's exactly what you need to file with OPM to start receiving your court-ordered annuity share.
COAP Formula Types: Marital Share, Fixed Dollar, and Percentage Explained
Your COAP formula determines how much of the federal pension you receive. Compare marital share, fixed dollar, and percentage formulas — and which protects you best.
COLA Adjustments on Former Spouse Annuity Share
Do former spouses get COLA increases on their federal pension share? Yes — here's how OPM applies cost-of-living adjustments to court-ordered annuity payments.
CSRS vs. FERS Former Spouse Benefits: Key Differences in Divorce
CSRS and FERS treat former spouse benefits differently — annuity splits, survivor costs, and Social Security. Here's what matters for your court order.
DFAS vs OPM Former Spouse Benefits: Military Service in a Federal Pension
When a federal employee has military service, former spouses face a jurisdiction split between DFAS and OPM. Learn which agency handles your claim and why.
Divorced Spouse Social Security After GPO Repeal: What Changed and What to Do Now
The GPO repeal means divorced spouses of federal employees can now collect full Social Security benefits. Here's how to claim or verify your adjustment.
Ex-Spouse Died Before Retirement: What Happens to Your Federal Pension Share
If your federal employee ex-spouse dies before retiring, your annuity share ends — but a survivor annuity and death benefit may still pay. Here's how.
FEHB Former Spouse Coverage After Divorce: Spouse Equity vs. TCC
Former spouses of federal employees can keep health coverage after divorce through Spouse Equity or TCC. Learn the eligibility rules and separate filing windows.
Former Spouse Annuity When Ex-Spouse Cannot Be Found
What happens to your federal pension share if your ex-spouse disappears? Learn how OPM handles missing employees and funds held in suspense.
Former Spouse Rights During Disability, Phased, and Deferred Retirement
How do disability retirement, phased retirement, and deferred annuity affect a former spouse's pension share? Each type has different rules — here's what to expect.
Former Spouse Federal Pension Taxes: How Your Annuity Share Is Taxed
Former spouses receiving a federal pension share pay ordinary income tax on every dollar. Here's how OPM reports it and what you can do about withholding.
Former Spouse FEGLI Life Insurance Rights After Federal Divorce
Can a court order assign FEGLI life insurance proceeds to a former spouse? Learn what the law allows and how to protect your beneficiary designation.
Former Spouse Share of FERS Annuity: How the Split Actually Works
Learn how a former spouse's share of a FERS annuity is calculated, paid by OPM, and what your court order must say to qualify.
Former Spouse Survivor Annuity Cost: Who Pays the 10% Reduction
A former spouse survivor annuity under FERS costs the retiree a 10% reduction in their monthly pension. Here's how the cost works and who bears it.
Net vs Gross Annuity for Former Spouse: How Your COAP Share Is Calculated
Does your court order award a share of the gross or net annuity? The difference can mean thousands per year. Learn how OPM calculates former spouse shares.
OPM Court Ordered Benefits Branch Contact: Phone, Address, and What to Send
Contact OPM's Court Ordered Benefits Branch through 1-888-767-6738 or P.O. Box 17, Washington DC 20044-0017. Learn what to include and how long processing takes.
OPM Interim Pay and Former Spouse: Why Your Annuity Share Gets Delayed
OPM doesn't pay former spouses during interim pay. Learn how long delays last, when back payments start, and how to escalate with a congressional inquiry.
OPM Rejected My Court Order: What to Do When Your COAP Fails
OPM rejected your court order for federal pension division? Here's why orders fail, how to fix the language, and what an amended order needs.
PSHB Medicare Part B: What Former Spouses of Postal Workers Need to Know
Former spouses eligible for Spouse Equity enroll in FEHB, not PSHB. Learn when the PSHB Medicare Part B requirement applies to postal survivor annuitants and other enrollees.
Remarriage Before 55: What Happens to Your Former Spouse Survivor Annuity
Remarrying before 55 generally terminates a former spouse survivor annuity, with an exception for marriages of at least 30 years. Learn the rules and limits.
Employee Refund of Retirement Contributions: Impact on Former Spouse Benefits
If your federal ex-spouse takes a refund of retirement contributions, it can wipe out your pension share. Learn how a COAP can block the refund under 5 CFR 838.
Court Enforcement and Garnishment Against OPM for Former Spouse Benefits
OPM won't enforce private indemnity clauses. Learn how to use state court contempt and garnishment orders to enforce your federal former spouse benefits.
TSP Court Order Center: How Former Spouses Divide the Thrift Savings Plan
The TSP Court Order Center processes retirement benefits court orders for former spouses. Here's how benefit restrictions, RBCO review, and payment work.
TSP Distribution Tax and Rollover Rules for Former Spouses
Former spouses receiving a TSP court order distribution can avoid taxes with a direct rollover to an IRA. Learn the rules, tax withholding, and the early withdrawal penalty exemption.
Alternatives to QDRO Preparation Services for Federal Former Spouse Benefits
Why standard QDRO prep services don't work for federal pensions and what former spouses should use instead to claim their court-ordered share from OPM and the TSP.
Best Resource for Claiming Former Spouse Federal Pension Without an Attorney
Find the best resource for claiming your court-ordered share of a federal pension as a former spouse without hiring an attorney for the administrative filings.
Best Guide for Former Spouses When Ex Is About to Retire from Federal Service
Find the best resource for former spouses who need to act fast because an ex-spouse is retiring from federal service — deadlines, filings, and the claims sequence.
Former Spouse Federal Benefits Guide vs. Hiring a COAP Attorney
Compare using a self-advocacy process guide to hiring a COAP attorney for claiming your former spouse share of a federal pension, survivor annuity, and FEHB coverage.
How to Claim Your Former Spouse Federal Pension Share Without Paying Attorney Fees
Step-by-step process for former spouses to claim their court-ordered share of a federal pension through OPM without hiring an attorney for the post-decree filings.