Title 50, War and National DefenseRelease 119-110
§2154 Special Rules for Former Spouses
Title 50 › CHAPTER 38 — CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY › SUBCHAPTER III — PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM › § 2154
Summary
Gives qualified ex-spouses of covered Agency employees rights to part of the employee’s retirement, survivor, and Thrift Savings benefits. Defined terms: Employee = an Agency worker covered by the retirement rules. Qualified former spouse = an ex-spouse who was married at least 10 years during the employee’s creditable service and who meets special 5-year overseas-service rules (different tests for divorces on or before December 4, 1991, versus after that date). Pro rata share = the fraction of marriage days during the employee’s total creditable service. Spousal agreement = a written, signed, notarized agreement authenticated by the Director. Court order = a divorce, annulment, legal separation, or related settlement. A qualified former spouse gets half (50%) of the employee’s retirement benefits if married for the employee’s entire creditable service. If not married the whole time, the ex gets a pro rata part of 50% based on days married during service. This includes any annuity supplement. A qualified former spouse loses those rights if they remarry before age 55; the annuity can be restored if that remarriage later ends and certain conditions are met. Survivor benefits are the same idea but use 100% instead of 50% (full share if married the whole time, or a pro rata share if not). Special rules cover disability cases and employees who switched to FERS, using proportional calculations for time before and after the switch. For the Thrift Savings Plan, the qualified former spouse is entitled to 50% of the account growth that happened during the marriage. That amount is paid as a lump sum after the divorce is final and the Director gets the paperwork. If the account was already withdrawn or turned into an annuity before the divorce date, no payment can be made. An employee may not change retirement elections to reduce an ex-spouse’s rights. A share of any lump-sum credit is also paid to a qualified former spouse under the same 50% or pro rata rules. Certain payments to former spouses are paid from the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund.
Full Legal Text
Title 50, §2154
War and National Defense, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)General rule
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this section, the provisions of chapter 84 of title 5 shall apply in the case of an employee of the Agency who is subject to chapter 84 of title 5 and who has a former spouse (as defined in section 8401(12) of title 5) or a qualified former spouse.
(b)Definitions
For purposes of this section: (1) Employee
(2)Qualified former spouse
The term “qualified former spouse” means a former spouse of an employee or retired employee who—
(A)in the case of a former spouse whose divorce from such employee became final on or before December 4, 1991, was married to such employee for not less than 10 years during periods of the employee’s service which are creditable under section 8411 of title 5, at least 5 years of which were spent outside the United States by both the employee and the former spouse during the employee’s service with the Agency; and
(B)in the case of a former spouse whose divorce from such employee becomes final after December 4, 1991, was married to such employee for not less than 10 years during periods of the employee’s service which are creditable under section 8411 of title 5, at least 5 years of which were spent by the employee outside the United States during the employee’s service with the Agency or otherwise in a position the duties of which qualified the employee for designation by the Director under the criteria prescribed in section 2013 of this title.
(3)Pro rata share
The term “pro rata share” means the percentage that is equal to (A) the number of days of the marriage of the qualified former spouse to the employee during the employee’s periods of creditable service under chapter 84 of title 5, divided by (B) the total number of days of the employee’s creditable service.
(4)Spousal agreement
The term “spousal agreement” means an agreement between an employee, former employee, or retired employee and such employee’s spouse or qualified former spouse that—
(A)is in writing, is signed by the parties, and is notarized;
(B)has not been modified by court order; and
(C)has been authenticated by the Director.
(5)Court order
The term “court order” means any court decree of divorce, annulment or legal separation, or any court order or court-approved property settlement agreement incident to such court decree of divorce, annulment, or legal separation.
(c)Entitlement of qualified former spouse to retirement benefits
(1)Entitlement
(A)In general
Unless otherwise expressly provided by a spousal agreement or court order governing disposition of benefits payable under subchapter II or V of chapter 84 of title 5, a qualified former spouse of an employee is entitled to a share (determined under subparagraph (B)) of all benefits otherwise payable to such employee under subchapter II or V of chapter 84 of title 5.
(B)Amount of share
The share referred to in subparagraph (A) equals—
(i)50 percent, if the qualified former spouse was married to the employee throughout the entire period of the employee’s service which is creditable under chapter 84 of title 5; or
(ii)a pro rata share of 50 percent, if the qualified former spouse was not married to the employee throughout such creditable service.
(2)Annuity supplement
The benefits payable to an employee under subchapter II of chapter 84 of title 5 shall include, for purposes of this subsection, any annuity supplement payable to such employee under section 8421 and 8421a of such title.
(3)Disqualification upon remarriage before age 55
A qualified former spouse shall not be entitled to any benefit under this subsection if, before the commencement of any benefit, the qualified former spouse remarries before becoming 55 years of age.
(4)Commencement and termination
(A)Commencement
The benefits of a qualified former spouse under this subsection commence on the later of— (i)
(ii)the first day of the second month beginning after the date on which the Director receives written notice of the court order or spousal agreement, together with such additional information or documentation as the Director may prescribe.
(B)Termination
The benefits of the qualified former spouse and the right thereto terminate on—
(i)the last day of the month before the qualified former spouse remarries before 55 years of age or dies; or
(ii)the date on which the retired employee’s benefits terminate (except in the case of benefits subject to paragraph (5)(B)).
(5)Payments to retired employees
(A)Calculation of survivor annuity
Any reduction in payments to a retired employee as a result of payments to a qualified former spouse under this subsection shall be disregarded in calculating—
(i)the survivor annuity for any spouse, former spouse (qualified or otherwise), or other survivor under chapter 84 of title 5, and
(ii)any reduction in the annuity of the retired employee to provide survivor benefits under subsection (d) of this section or under section 8442 or 8445 of title 5.
(B)Reduction in basic pay upon recall to service
If a retired employee whose annuity is reduced under paragraph (1) is recalled to service under section 2152(c) of this title, the basic pay of that annuitant shall be reduced by the same amount as the annuity would have been reduced if it had continued. Amounts equal to the reductions under this subparagraph shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
(6)Special rules for disability annuitants
Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (4), in the case of any qualified former spouse of a disability annuitant—
(A)the annuity of such former spouse shall commence on the date on which the employee would qualify, on the basis of the employee’s creditable service, for benefits under subchapter II of chapter 84 of title 5 or on the date on which the disability annuity begins, whichever is later; and
(B)the amount of the annuity of the qualified former spouse shall be calculated on the basis of the benefits for which the employee would otherwise qualify under subchapter II of chapter 84 of such title.
(7)Pro rata share in case of employees transferred to FERS
Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(B), in the case of an employee who has elected to become subject to chapter 84 of title 5, the share of such employee’s qualified former spouse shall equal the sum of— (A)
(B)if applicable, 50 percent of the employee’s benefits under chapter 84 of title 5 or section 2152(a) of this title (computed in accordance with section 302(a) of the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act of 1986 or section 2157 of this title), multiplied by the proportion that the number of days of marriage during the period of the employee’s creditable service on and after the effective date of the election to transfer bears to the employee’s total creditable service after such effective date.
(8)Treatment of pro rata share under title 26
For purposes of title 26, payments to a qualified former spouse under this subsection shall be treated as income to the qualified former spouse and not to the employee.
(d)Qualified former spouse survivor benefits
(1)Entitlement
(A)In general
Subject to an election under section 8416(a) of title 5, and unless otherwise expressly provided by any spousal agreement or court order governing survivor benefits payable under this subsection to a qualified former spouse, such former spouse is entitled to a share, determined under subparagraph (B), of all survivor benefits that would otherwise be payable under subchapter IV of chapter 84 of title 5 to an eligible surviving spouse of the employee.
(B)Amount of share
The share referred to in subparagraph (A) equals—
(i)100 percent, if the qualified former spouse was married to the employee throughout the entire period of the employee’s service which is creditable under chapter 84 of title 5; or
(ii)a pro rata share of 100 percent, if the qualified former spouse was not married to the employee throughout such creditable service.
(2)Survivor benefits
(A)The survivor benefits payable under this subsection to a qualified former spouse shall include the amount payable under section 8442(b)(1)(A) of title 5 and any supplementary annuity under section 8442(f) of such title that would be payable if such former spouse were a widow or widower entitled to an annuity under such section.
(B)Any calculation under section 8442(f) of title 5 of the supplementary annuity payable to a widow or widower of an employee referred to in section 2152(a) of this title shall be based on an “assumed CIARDS annuity” rather than an “assumed CSRS annuity” as stated in section 8442(f) of such title. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the term “assumed CIARDS annuity” means the amount of the survivor annuity to which the widow or widower would be entitled under subchapter II of this chapter based on the service of the deceased annuitant determined under section 8442(f)(5) of such title.
(3)Disqualification upon remarriage before age 55
A qualified former spouse shall not be entitled to any benefit under this subsection if, before commencement of any benefit, the qualified former spouse remarries before becoming 55 years of age.
(4)Restoration
If the survivor annuity payable under this subsection to a surviving qualified former spouse is terminated because of remarriage before becoming age 55, the annuity shall be restored at the same rate commencing on the date such remarriage is dissolved by death, divorce, or annulment, if—
(A)such former spouse elects to receive this survivor annuity instead of any other survivor benefit to which such former spouse may be entitled under subchapter IV of chapter 84 of title 5, or under another retirement system for Government employees by reason of the remarriage; and
(B)any lump sum paid on termination of the annuity is returned to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
(5)Modification of court order or spousal agreement
A modification in a court order or spousal agreement to adjust a qualified former spouse’s share of the survivor benefits shall not be effective if issued after the retirement or death of the employee, former employee, or annuitant, whichever occurs first.
(6)Effect of termination of qualified former spouse’s entitlement
After a qualified former spouse of a retired employee remarries before becoming age 55 or dies, the reduction in the retired employee’s annuity for the purpose of providing a survivor annuity for such former spouse shall be terminated. The annuitant may elect, in a signed writing received by the Director within 2 years after the qualified former spouse’s remarriage or death, to continue the reduction in order to provide or increase the survivor annuity for such annuitant’s spouse. The annuitant making such election shall pay a deposit in accordance with the provisions of section 8418 of title 5.
(7)Pro rata share in case of employees transferred to FERS
Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(B), in the case of an employee who has elected to become subject to chapter 84 of title 5, the share of such employee’s qualified former spouse to survivor benefits shall equal the sum of— (A)
(B)if applicable—
(i)50 percent of the employee’s annuity under chapter 84 of title 5 or section 2152(a) of this title (computed in accordance with section 302(a) of the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act of 1986 or section 2157 of this title), plus
(ii)the survivor benefits referred to in subsection (d)(2)(A),
multiplied by the proportion that the number of days of marriage during the period of the employee’s creditable service on and after the effective date of the election to transfer bears to the employee’s total creditable service after such effective date.
(e)Qualified former spouse Thrift Savings Plan benefit
(1)Entitlement
(A)In general
Unless otherwise expressly provided by a spousal agreement or court order governing disposition of the balance of an account in the Thrift Savings Fund under subchapter III of chapter 84 of title 5, a qualified former spouse of an employee is entitled to a share (determined under subparagraph (B)) of the balance in the employee’s account in the Thrift Savings Fund on the date the divorce of the qualified former spouse and employee becomes final.
(B)Amount of share
The share referred to in subparagraph (A) equals 50 percent of the employee’s account balance in the Thrift Savings Fund that accrued during the period of marriage. For purposes of this subsection, the employee’s account balance shall not include the amount of any outstanding loan.
(2)Payment of benefit
(A)Time of payment
The entitlement of a qualified former spouse under paragraph (1) shall be effective on the date the divorce of the qualified former spouse and employee becomes final. The qualified former spouse’s benefit shall be payable after the date on which the Director receives the divorce decree or any applicable court order or spousal agreement, together with such additional information or documentation as the Director may require.
(B)Method of payment
The qualified former spouse’s benefit under this subsection shall be paid in a lump sum.
(C)Limitation
A spousal agreement or court order may not provide for payment to a qualified former spouse under this subsection of an amount that exceeds the employee’s account balance in the Thrift Savings Fund.
(D)Death of qualified former spouse
If the qualified former spouse dies before payment of the benefit provided under this subsection, such payment shall be made to the estate of the qualified former spouse.
(E)Bar to recovery
Any payment under this subsection to an individual bars recovery by any other individual.
(3)Closed account
No payment under this subsection may be made by the Director if the date on which the divorce becomes final is after the date on which the total amount of the employee’s account balance has been withdrawn or transferred, or the date on which an annuity contract has been purchased, in accordance with section 8433 of title 5.
(f)Preservation of rights of qualified former spouses
An employee may not make an election or modification of election under section 8417 or 8418 of title 5, or other section relating to the employee’s annuity under subchapter II of chapter 84 of title 5, that would diminish the entitlement of a qualified former spouse to any benefit granted to such former spouse by this section or by court order or spousal agreement.
(g)Payment of share of lump-sum credit
Whenever an employee or former employee becomes entitled to receive the lump-sum credit under section 8424(a) of title 5, a share (determined under subsection (c)(1)(B) of this section) of that lump-sum credit shall be paid to any qualified former spouse of such employee, unless otherwise expressly provided by any spousal agreement or court order governing disposition of the lump-sum credit involved.
(h)Payment to qualified former spouses under court order or spousal agreement
In the case of any employee or retired employee who has a qualified former spouse who is covered by a court order or who is a party to a spousal agreement—
(1)any right of the qualified former spouse to any retirement benefits under subsection (c) and to any survivor benefits under subsection (d), and the amount of any such benefits;
(2)any right of the qualified former spouse to any Thrift Savings Plan benefit under subsection (e), and the amount of any such benefit; and
(3)any right of the qualified former spouse to any payment of a lump-sum credit under subsection (g), and the amount of any such payment;
shall be determined in accordance with that spousal agreement or court order, if and to the extent expressly provided for in the terms of the spousal agreement or court order that are not inconsistent with the requirements of this section.
(i)Applicability of CIARDS former spouse benefits
(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), in the case of an employee who has elected to become subject to chapter 84 of title 5, the provisions of section 2034 and 2035 of this title shall apply to such employee’s former spouse (as defined in section 2002(a)(4) of this title) who would otherwise be eligible for benefits under section 2034 and 2035 of this title but for the employee having elected to become subject to such chapter.
(2)For the purposes of computing such former spouse’s benefits under section 2034 and 2035 of this title—
(A)the retirement benefits shall be equal to the amount determined under subsection (c)(7)(A); and
(B)the survivor benefits shall be equal to 55 percent of the full amount of the employee’s annuity computed in accordance with section 302(a) of the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act of 1986 or regulations prescribed under section 2157 of this title.
(3)Benefits provided pursuant to this subsection shall be payable from the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
section 302(a) of the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (c)(7)(A), (B), (d)(7)(A), (B)(i), and (i)(2)(B), is section 302(a) of Pub. L. 99–335, which is set out as a note under section 8331 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 304 of Pub. L. 88–643, as added Pub. L. 99–335, title V, § 506, June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 626; amended Pub. L. 100–178, title IV, § 402(b)(2), Dec. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 1014; Pub. L. 102–183, title III, § 309(a), Dec. 4, 1991, 105 Stat. 1266, related to special rules for former spouses and was set out as a note under section 403 of this title prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 88–643 by section 802 of Pub. L. 102–496.
Amendments
2023—Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(i). Pub. L. 118–31, § 7901(d)(4)(A), substituted “title 5” for “title 50”. Subsec. (c)(5)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 118–31, § 7901(d)(4)(B), substituted “section 8442” for “section 8442”. 1993—Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 103–178 substituted “section 2002(a)(4)” for “section 2002(a)(3)”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1993 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–178 effective Feb. 1, 1993, see section 202(b) of Pub. L. 103–178, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective on first day of fourth month beginning after Oct. 24, 1992, see section 805 of Pub. L. 102–496, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
50 U.S.C. § 2154
Title 50, War and National Defense
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110