QDRO Review

It is imperative that the QDRO or COAP be prepared consistent with the parties’ settlement agreement. It cannot be assumed that everyone involved from the attorneys to the judge, or the parties, possess the knowledge to determine if a QDRO is drafted in a fair and consistent manner.

For Voit Econometrics Group to review QDROs, a copy of the QDRO itself, along with the parties’ settlement agreement and/or Final Judgment, should be provided.

Issues to consider, if you represent the former spouse of the plan participant, are:

• Survivor benefits

• Cost-of-living-adjustments

• Subsidized benefits if based on all of the years of service

• Death of the former spouse (federal pension plans)

• Disability Retirement vs. disability insurance policy

As with any QDRO, a slight change in verbiage can mean tens of thousands of dollars in favor of one or the other party.