Are benefit payments to the Alternate Payee automatic once the QDRO is qualified?
A-25: No. Even if the QDRO includes a specific date when the alternate payee is to commence his/her share of the benefits, the alternate payee will not commence his/her benefits until a benefit distribution election form and any other associated paperwork as may be required by the Plan Administrator, is properly completed by the alternate payee. Remember, the alternate payee must contract the plan administrator to request the necessary distribution application forms. These must be properly completed and returned to the Plan Administrator before any distribution will occur.
Related Questions
- Can a QDRO under a defined benefit pension plan provide the alternate payee with "interest and investment earnings" on his/her assigned share of the benefits?
- Can a QDRO provide the alternate payee with a portion of the participants "future" benefits under the Plan ?
- What is the earliest date on which the alternate payee can begin to receive benefits under a QDRO?
