Saw this online: I'm presently the temporary "conduit" for the former spouse's
court-ordered benefits 34% , OPM Retirement Ops (#6738) tells me to contract my Lawyer if i have questions and or OPM Court Order Section (# 0222) who just have to answer their phone in months. Still awaiting a response from my Attorney & Her CPA. I'm thinking the guy just gets lov'ed again
Overview :
If a court order directs OPM to pay a portion of an employee's first annuity to a former
spouse, but specifies that the employee must initially pay that portion themselves until OPM begins deducting it directly from their annuity, the employee is essentially acting as a temporary
"conduit" for the former spouse's court-ordered benefit until OPM receives and processes the
court order, at which point they will start deducting the specified amount directly from the
employee's monthly annuity and pay it to the former spouse. Key points to remember: Court
order requirement: A valid court order explicitly stating that OPM should pay a portion of the
annuity to the former spouse is necessary for OPM to take action. Temporary payment
responsibility: Until OPM starts processing the court order, the employee is responsible for
paying the former spouse's portion of the annuity directly, usually based on the percentage or
amount specified in the court order. Notification to OPM:
The employee must submit a certified copy of the court order to OPM so they can begin deducting the appropriate amount from their
annuity and pay it directly to the former spouse. Potential for reimbursement: Once OPM starts
processing the court order, the employee should be able to claim reimbursement for any
payments they made to the former spouse on their behalf, which will be deducted from their
future annuity payments. Important considerations: Contact OPM: If you are in this situation, it's
crucial to contact OPM to understand the exact process for submitting the court order and
initiating the deduction from your annuity. Legal advice: Consult with an attorney if you have any
questions about the court order or the process for complying with it, especially regarding any
potential financial implications or concerns about the temporary payment arrangement.
