FERS and CSRS in an Oregon Divorce
FERS and CSRS in an Oregon Divorce: The Short Version
The Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) are retirement plans for federal employees. If one or both spouses are current or retired federal employees, FERS/CSRS retirement benefits will be discussed in divorce mediation.
Typically, Matthew's mediation clients choose to address FERS and CSRS benefits in one of three ways:
- Division of the benefit can be deferred until the federal employee retires.
- The other spouse's interest in the benefit can be offset with other assets instead of a share of the retirement benefit.
- There can be a survivor benefit designation for the non-employee spouse.
Matthew will help you understand the divorce-related issues concerning FERS, which you will address and resolve in mediation.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is the department of the federal government that handles FERS and CSRS benefits. OPM has specific procedures and particular documents to complete along with the divorce judgment. OPM also has particular rules that may limit or dictate the manner of division. Matthew will offer guidance regarding those procedures and forms and will assist you with all aspects of it that are appropriate to the mediation stage of the divorce process.
Next Steps
Schedule a 90-minute in-person or Zoom introduction (first hour is always FREE)
or a 30-minute free "meet-and-greet" as soon as you're ready to begin mediation.