How does a domestic relations order become “Qualified?
” If the order is a domestic relations order, it becomes qualified if it assigns some of the pension benefits to an “alternate payee” (explained below), and if it includes certain information and meets certain other requirements. An “alternate payee” is a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of the plan participant. No one else can be the alternate. Alternate payees are limited to those situations and relationships in which domestic law governs. In addition to naming only one of the above persons as alternate payee, a QDRO must contain the following information: • The name and last known mailing address of the participant and each alternate payee; • The name of each plan to which the order applies; • The dollar amount or percentage (or the method of determining the amount or percentage) of the benefit to be paid to the alternate payee; and • The number of payments or time period to which the order applies. Along with the above requirements, there are certain provisions that
