This refers to the amount of benefits that a participant has earned under a defined benefits pension plan as of any particular date and is usually stated in terms of a monthly pension annuity. It is generally based on the employee's years of service with the company and his/her final average compensation as of the [...]

A plan qualified under ERISA and the IRC that provides for contributions directly to individual accounts established and maintained for each plan participant. The contributions may consist of either employee or employer contributions or both. The participant is generally entitled to receive the account balance (together with any interest accrued thereon as well as investment [...]

Pension plan qualified under ERISA and the IRC that provides a specific pre-determinable amount of benefits to a participant at the individual's projected date of retirement. Normally, the benefits are based on a formula that incorporates the participant's projected years of service and final average compensations. Defined benefit plan are required to be funded on [...]

The alternate payee is any spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a participant who is recognized by a domestic relations order as having a right to receive all, or a portion of, the benefits payable under a plan with respect to such participant.

Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

All of the requirements for QDROs are contained in Section 206(d)(3) of ERISA and Section 414(p) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Any judgment, decree, or order (including approval of a property settlement agreement) that (1) relates to the provision of child support, alimony payment, or marital property rights to a spouse, former spouse, child or other dependent of a participant, and (2) is made pursuant to a state domestic relations law (including community property law).

A copy of the draft QDRO should be submitted to the Plan Administrator (as instructed in the cover letter that comes with the draft QDRO) to find out in writing whether they require any changes. 1. Plan Revisions: If there are any revisions requested by the plan administration, notify our office and we will make [...]