TRS QDRO Form (Active Member) Rev. 9/2015
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DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER DIVIDING RETIREMENT PLAN BENEFITS
This Order is intended to meet the requirements for a "qualified domestic relations
order" relating to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, hereinafter called the "Plan,"
"TRS," or "System," as set forth in Chapter 804, Title 8, Texas Government Code, and in
applicable TRS rules, 34 TAC §§47.1 - 47.17. This Order is an integral part of the Decree
of Divorce entered in this cause. In compliance with those requirements, the following is
specified:
1. This Order assigns a portion of the benefits or amounts payable under the Plan
to Alternate Payee in recognition of his/her marital rights in Participant’s benefits
or amounts payable under the Plan.
2. Participant in the Plan is _____________________________________
(INSERT NAME OF PARTICIPANT), whose last known mailing address is
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
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TRS QDRO Form (Active Member) Rev. 9/2015
(INSERT PARTICIPANT'S ADDRESS) and whose Social Security number is
excluded from this order to protect the Participant from identity theft. Participant
is authorized to use an alternate method acceptable to TRS to verify the number.
3. Alternate Payee is _________________________________________
(INSERT NAME OF ALTERNATE PAYEE), whose last known mailing address
is
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(INSERT ALTERNATE PAYEE'S ADDRESS) and whose Social Security
number is excluded from this order to protect Alternate Payee from identity theft.
Alternate Payee is authorized to use an alternate method acceptable to TRS to
verify the number.
4. Participant and Alternate Payee were married on
____________________________ (INSERT DATE OF MARRIAGE). The court
orders that for purposes of this order, the end date for the division of property is
___________________________________ (INSERT END DATE OF
DIVISION).
5. As part of a just and right division of the estate of the parties, Alternate Payee is
awarded and shall receive from the Plan a portion of any of the following
distributions paid by the Plan:
distributions of service or disability retirement benefits (whether payable to
Participant or a beneficiary);
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death or survivor benefits; and
a distribution of the total accumulated contributions credited to Participant
by the Plan.
For purpose of this order, the following definitions apply:
service or disability retirement benefits include monthly retirement
annuity payments payable to a retiree, continuing optional annuity
payments paid to a beneficiary, distributions under the Deferred
Retirement Option Plan (DROP), distributions of the Partial Lump Sum
Option (PLSO), and supplemental payments;
death or survivor benefits include a distribution of any monthly annuity
payments paid as a death benefit to a beneficiary, a distribution of a lump
sum benefit, any monthly benefits paid to a surviving spouse, dependent
parent of the decedent, or minor children of the decedent, and a
distribution of an amount equal to the remaining balance of Participant’s
accumulated contributions paid as a death benefit;
accumulated contributions include member contributions made on
behalf of the Participant plus all accumulated interest and has the meaning
provided in § 821.001(1), Texas Government Code, or its successor
statute; and
The portion awarded to Alternate Payee is payable if, as, and when such
distributions are made as provided by the Plan's governing laws and rules based
on Participant's membership in, credit with, or contributions to the Plan. The
portion of the distribution of benefits or total accumulated contributions that is
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TRS QDRO Form (Active Member) Rev. 9/2015
awarded and that is to be paid to Alternate Payee shall be determined as follows:
Select ONE of the following options by marking the applicable box (do not omit the
unselected option):
OPTION 1
Multiply the distribution by a percentage derived from the following formula:
  ×

       

          
The community property (CP in the equation above) awarded is the Alternate
Payee’s interest in the community property as determined by the court and may
be expressed as a fraction, a percentage or a decimal. The Alternate Payee’s
interest in the community property is____________________ (INSERT
INTEREST AWARDED BY THE COURT).
The numerator of the fraction establishing the community’s interest in
Participant’s total benefit is the amount of a standard service retirement annuity
unreduced for early retirement calculated under the retirement law and rules in
effect on the end date of division but using only service and salary credit that TRS
determines has been acquired by Participant between the date of the parties
marriage and the end date of division and maintained with the System as of the
end date of division, even if Participant has not yet reached normal retirement
age, the service credit is less than the minimum required to be eligible to receive
a service retirement annuity, and the average salary must be calculated with
fewer salary years than specified by applicable laws and rules.
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TRS QDRO Form (Active Member) Rev. 9/2015
The denominator of the fraction is:
for distributions made after the retirement of Participant, the amount of a
standard service retirement annuity unreduced for early retirement calculated
under the laws and rules in effect at the time of Participant's latest effective date
of retirement and based on Participant's membership in, credit with, or
contributions to the System as of Participant's latest effective date of retirement;
and
for distributions made prior to the retirement of the Participant, the amount of a
standard service retirement annuity, unreduced for early retirement, which would
have been used to calculate the service retirement benefit payable if Participant
had retired at the end of the month in which the distribution is authorized to be
made. For the purpose of determining the amount of a normal age standard
service retirement annuity which would have been used to calculate the benefit
payable if Participant had retired, the Plan may calculate the annuity by using
the service credit acquired and maintained by Participant, even if it is less than
the minimum required to be eligible to receive a service retirement annuity, and
by using an average salary, even if it must be calculated with fewer salary years
than specified by applicable laws and rules. The term "standard service
retirement annuity" as used in this Order is defined by § 824.203, Texas
Government Code, or its successor statute.
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TRS QDRO Form (Active Member) Rev. 9/2015
OPTION 2
Multiply the distribution by ____________________ % (INSERT PERCENT
AWARDED BY THE COURT. AWARD MUST BE LESS THAN ONE
HUNDRED PERCENT (100%)). The percent awarded is a percent of the total
distribution payable on behalf of Participant and is not limited to a percentage
of benefits accrued only during the marriage. If the application of the percent
awarded results in a distribution of Participant’s separate property to the
Alternate Payee, the parties acknowledge the award and agree to the distribution
and the Court finds that the award of separate property is necessary for the just
and right division of the parties’ community property.
Select one or more of the following special instructions if needed by marking the
applicable box (do not omit unselected instructions):
SPECIAL INSTRUCTION 1:
The above language notwithstanding, in no event shall Alternate Payee receive
more than a total of $ _____________________________ (INSERT TOTAL
AMOUNT) plus interest, calculated from the end date of division to the date
distribution to the Alternate Payee begins, as provided in § 825.307(b), Texas
Government Code, or its successor statute.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTION 2:
The above language notwithstanding, in no event shall Alternate Payee receive
more than a total of $ _______________________________ (INSERT TOTAL
AMOUNT).
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TRS QDRO Form (Active Member) Rev. 9/2015
SPECIAL INSTRUCTION 3:
The above language notwithstanding and except as provided in Section 6(g) of
this order, in no event shall Alternate Payee receive more than
$________________________________ (INSERT AMOUNT) per month from
any monthly retirement annuity payment.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTION 4 (only available if selected Option 1):
The above language notwithstanding, in determining the amount of service credit
acquired during the marriage, service credit acquired under the terms of the
Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS) but transferred to TRS at the time
of distribution shall be credited at the time the service was acquired or earned
under ERS rather than the time of the transfer to TRS.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTION 5 (only available if selected Option 1):
The above language notwithstanding, in determining the amount of service credit
acquired during the marriage, _________________________ (INSERT TOTAL
NUMBER OF YEARS of SERVICE CREDIT TO BE EXCLUDED) years of
service credit purchased during the marriage are excluded from the total years
of service credit acquired during the marriage.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTION 6:
Alternate Payee is awarded and shall receive
_____________________________ (INSERT INTEREST AWARDED BY THE
COURT) of a special refund of deposits or contributions that were made to and
maintained with TRS between date of marriage and the end date of division and
____________________ (INSERT INTEREST AWARDED BY THE COURT) of
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TRS QDRO Form (Active Member) Rev. 9/2015
any interest, if credited, that TRS determines is attributable to these deposits or
contributions. The community property interest awarded is the Alternate Payee’s
interest in the community property as determined by the court and may be
expressed as a fraction, a percentage or a decimal. Special refund means a
return of deposits or contributions that should not have been made to TRS on
behalf of the member or that were based on compensation that cannot be used
for calculation of TRS benefits and is refundable under the terms of the Plan.
6. TRS is directed to disburse to Alternate Payee the portion of distributions assigned
under Paragraph No. 5 of this Order, if, as, and when such distributions are made
as provided by the System's governing laws and rules based on Participant's
membership in, credit with, or contributions to the System, subject to the following
provisions:
(a) This Order shall not be interpreted in any way to require the Plan to provide
any type or form of benefit or any option not otherwise provided under the Plan.
(b) This Order shall not be interpreted in any way to require the Plan to provide
increased benefits determined on the basis of actuarial value.
(c) This Order shall not be interpreted in any way to require the Plan to pay any
benefits to an alternate payee named in this Order which are required to be paid
to another alternate payee under another order previously determined to be a
qualified domestic relations order.
(d) This Order shall not be interpreted in any way to require the payment of
benefits to Alternate Payee before the retirement of Participant, the distribution of
a withdrawal of contributions to Participant as authorized by the statutes governing
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TRS QDRO Form (Active Member) Rev. 9/2015
the Plan, or any other distribution required by law.
(e) If the Plan provides for a reduced benefit upon "early retirement," this Order
shall be interpreted to require that, in the event of Participant's retirement before
normal retirement age, the benefits payable to Alternate Payee shall be reduced
proportionately.
(f) This Order shall not be interpreted to require the designation of a particular
person as the recipient of benefits in the event of Participant's death or to require
the selection of a particular benefit payment plan or option. However,
notwithstanding the provisions of this Order, if Alternate Payee is designated as a
beneficiary for any benefits payable by TRS upon the death of Participant, then
Alternate Payee shall receive such payment to which Alternate Payee is entitled
by law as beneficiary. If Alternate Payee is a joint beneficiary for a benefit,
Alternate Payee shall receive the portion of the total benefit payable to the joint
beneficiaries as specified in Paragraph No. 5 above; the portion of the benefit
payment received by Alternate Payee as a joint beneficiary of Participant shall be
credited toward satisfying the amount of the benefit payable to Alternate Payee as
the alternate payee for Participant's interest. Additionally, as specified in
Paragraph No. 5 above, Alternate Payee shall receive a portion of any other
benefits which are payable to a beneficiary and for which Alternate Payee was not
designated as a beneficiary.
(g) In the event that, after distribution of a benefit to Participant or a beneficiary
has begun, the amount of the distribution is increased or reduced by law, then the
amount payable to Alternate Payee shall be increased or reduced proportionately.
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TRS QDRO Form (Active Member) Rev. 9/2015
(h) If the Board of Trustees of the Plan has provided by rule that, in lieu of paying
an alternate payee the interest awarded by a qualified domestic relations order,
the Plan may pay an alternate payee an amount that is the actuarial equivalent of
such interest in the form of (1) an annuity payable in equal monthly installments
for the life of the alternate payee, or (2) a lump sum, then and only in that event
Alternate Payee or Participant may request the Plan to make payment in this form,
and the Plan is authorized to make payment in this form instead of in the manner
otherwise described in this Order. This Order shall not be interpreted in any way
to require the Plan to adopt such rules or to require the Plan to grant any request
for payment in the form described in this provision. The determination of whether
to pay an amount authorized by this provision in lieu of the interest otherwise
awarded by this Order shall be at the sole discretion of the Plan.
The above language notwithstanding, Alternate Payee may make an election,
if authorized by § 804.005, Texas Government Code, or its successor statute, to
receive an amount in lieu of the interest awarded by this Order that is Alternate
Payee's portion of the actuarial equivalent of the Participant's accrued benefit,
determined as of the date of Alternate Payee's election. When authorized,
Alternate Payee may make this election in writing to TRS if Participant has not yet
retired but is at least 62 years of age and eligible to retire without reduction for
early age. The amount is payable to Alternate Payee in the form authorized by
law and as determined by TRS. The benefit payable on behalf of Participant is
permanently reduced as required by law and as determined by TRS.
(i) The interest of Alternate Payee is governed by § 804.101, Texas
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TRS QDRO Form (Active Member) Rev. 9/2015
Government Code or its successor statute.
7. Any amount payable by TRS, other than those payable under Paragraph No. 5
above to Alternate Payee, shall be payable directly to Participant, Participant's
beneficiary, or the estate, heirs, or legatees of either, in accordance with the TRS
laws and rules. If Participant, Participant's beneficiary, or the estate of either
receives any amount of a distribution that has been awarded to Alternate Payee,
the recipient is designated a constructive trustee for the amount received and shall
immediately transmit such amount to Alternate Payee.
8. If Alternate Payee or the estate, heirs, or legatees of Alternate Payee receive any
amount of a distribution that should have been paid to Participant, Participant's
beneficiary, or the estate, heirs, or legatees of either, the recipient is designated a
constructive trustee for the amount received and shall immediately transmit such
amount to Plan Participant or other person to whom the amount should have been
paid.
9. If Participant, Alternate Payee, or the estate, heirs, or legatees of either receive
any amount of a distribution that should not have been paid by the System, the
recipient is designated a constructive trustee for the amount received and shall
immediately transmit such amount to the System.
10. Alternate Payee is ORDERED to report any payments received on any applicable
income tax return in accordance with Internal Revenue Code provisions or
regulations in effect at the time any payments are issued by TRS. The Plan is
authorized to issue a Form W-2P, Form 1099-R, or other applicable form on any
direct payment made to Alternate Payee. Plan Participant and Alternate Payee
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TRS QDRO Form (Active Member) Rev. 9/2015
shall allocate Participant's investment in contract in the manner established by the
Internal Revenue Code and any applicable regulations.
11. Alternate Payee is ORDERED to provide the Plan prompt written notification of
any changes in Alternate Payee's mailing address. TRS shall not be liable for
failing to make payments to Alternate Payee if TRS does not have a current
mailing address for Alternate Payee at time of payment.
12. Alternate Payee shall furnish a certified copy of this Order to TRS.
13. The Court retains jurisdiction to amend this Order so that it will constitute a
qualified domestic relations order under the Plan even though all other matters
incident to this action or proceeding have been fully and finally adjudicated. If the
System determines at any time that changes in the law, the administration of the
Plan, or any other circumstances make it impossible to calculate the portion of a
distribution awarded to Alternate Payee by this Order and so notifies the parties,
either or both parties shall immediately petition the Court for reformation of the
Order.
14. It is the intent of this Court that this order conform to the model domestic relations
order adopted by TRS. Any variance from the model order is inadvertent and
shall be construed and administered by TRS in a manner consistent with the
model order language.
SIGNED this _______day of __________________, 20_______.
_______________________________
[JUDGE PRESIDING]
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