§4044 Definitions

Summary

Sets plain meanings for words used in this part so people know who is covered and what each term means. Annuitant — someone (including a former worker or survivor) who meets the rules for an annuity and has filed a claim. Child — an unmarried person who is a natural, adopted, step, or pending-adopted child who meets age, student, or disability rules (under 18, a student under 22 with a special July 1/August 31 rule, or disabled before age 18). Court — any state or territorial court, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, or an Indian court. Court order — a divorce or annulment decree, or an order/approved property settlement tied to one. Foreign Service normal cost — the payroll percent that must go into the Fund to pay System benefits, calculated by standard actuarial methods and reduced by other retirement benefits and military credit. Former spouse — someone married to a participant at least 10 years during service that counts. Fund balance — the Fund’s investments at par plus its cash on the Treasury books. Lump-sum credit — required contributions plus interest: 4 percent compounded to December 31, 1976, and for certain short-service leavers (after 1 year but before 5 years) 3 percent per year after that, with some small-month and post-separation exceptions. Military and naval service — honorable active service in the U.S. Armed Forces, the Public Health Service Corps after June 30, 1960, or NOAA officer service after June 30, 1961. Pro rata share — the percentage equal to years married during the participant’s creditable service divided by total years of that creditable service. Spousal agreement — any written agreement between a participant (or former participant) and their spouse or former spouse. Student — a child in full-time, in-residence study at a recognized school; short breaks up to 5 months do not end student status if the child intends to return. Surviving spouse — a spouse married to the participant or annuitant for at least 9 months before death, or a parent of a child from the marriage; the 9-month rule is waived for accidental death or when earlier marriages add up to 9 months. Unfunded liability — the present value of all Fund benefits minus the present value of future employee deductions, future agency contributions, Government payments under the law, and the Fund balance on the determination date. Special agent — a State Department employee with skill code 2501 whose main duties are criminal investigation, arrest/detention, or personal protection; the work is treated as physically demanding and limited to young, fit people as the Secretary of State decides; includes those doing this work before, on, or after November 13, 1998, or who moved to supervisory or administrative jobs after at least 3 years doing it.