Does the Retirement System honor DRO’s issued by out-of-state courts?
The Retirement System’s policy with regard to out-of-state Domestic Relations Orders has recently changed. Formerly, the Retirement System required the registration of out-of-state orders with a New York court prior to submission. In lieu of registration, the Retirement System will accept an out-of-state order, if the order clearly states that it is made pursuant to the Equitable Distribution Law of New York State, and if you submit a notarized statement (a) consenting to the laws of New York State; (b) authorizing the System to make payments from your retirement allowance pursuant to the provisions of the order; and (c) releasing the System from any liability whatsoever as a consequence of any payments based upon the order. If you fail to consent to New York jurisdiction, the prior procedure of registration in a New York court with jurisdiction over the matrimonial action or the Retirement System must be followed.
