HOW AN INDEPENDENT ERISA ACTUARY ASSISTS A DIVORCE ATTORNEY

Although Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) have existed since the passage of the Retirement Equity Act of 1984, their usage today still produces questions of execution. Lawyers are concerned with proper documentation and Human Resource professionals have difficulty with administration. These problems are insignificant, by contrast, to the total lack of understanding on the part of the divorcing couple.

We provide assistance and education in computing benefits:

• interpretation of plan documents to determine relevant information
• financial evaluation of fair market value of defined benefit plan benefits (for either or both litigants)
• financial evaluation of early retirement subsidies
• explanation of relative advantages of cash or annuity to spouse

QDROs

• draft in accordance with IRS Notice 97-11 and §414(p) of Code
• interpret for plan sponsors approval
• review of Benefit Statements for accuracy
• prepare and change beneficiary form for plan participant