QDROs and RBCOs

When a divorce involves retirement accounts or pensions, special court orders are often needed to divide those benefits fairly. Two of the most common are:

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• QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order):
  A QDRO is used with retirement plans that fall under federal law (ERISA plans), such as 401(k)s or similar employer-sponsored retirement accounts. It tells the plan administrator how to split the account between spouses as part of a divorce or separation. Without a QDRO, the plan cannot legally pay benefits to anyone except the account holder.

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• RBCO (Retirement Benefits Court Order):
  An RBCO is similar to a QDRO but applies specifically to military or federal pensions. It directs the military or federal government on how to divide retirement pay or survivor benefits between spouses in line with a divorce judgment.

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Both QDROs and RBCOs are important because they ensure that retirement benefits are divided properly and that each spouse receives what the court has awarded. They also protect the plan participant by making sure distributions follow the law, avoiding tax penalties or improper payouts.

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I prepare and review these orders with care so that your future financial security is protected and the retirement benefits are handled correctly.