Who is this guide for?
This guide is for people who are trying to divide a benefit in PBGC-trusteed defined benefit pension plans as part of a divorce. PBGC is a federal agency that insures most private-sector defined benefit plans. In some cases, if an insured plan is unable to pay the benefits it owes, PBGC becomes responsible for administering benefits under the plan, through a legal process called “trusteeship.” PBGC then becomes responsible for dividing retirement benefits related to a divorce, whether the divorce occurs before or after the trusteeship. Use plan search to verify whether your plan is trusteed by PBGC.
This guide does not apply to QDROs submitted for benefits held under PBGC’s Missing Participants Program (MPP). Visit Find your retirement benefits to learn more about the MPP or to search the database for unclaimed benefits. Contact us if you have a QDRO that you need to submit to the MPP.
Which QDROs can PBGC review: PBGC can review and qualify QDROs only for the plans that it has taken over as trustee. Your QDRO should clearly identify the name of the plan to ensure qualification. Note: Many people participate in more than one retirement plan, with one or more employers. A QDRO should be submitted to the administrator of each plan where the pension benefit is expected to be divided.
What if you have a QDRO that was qualified before the plan terminated and PBGC became trustee: In most cases, if your QDRO was reviewed and qualified by the prior plan administrator, you do not need to take further action unless PBGC reaches out to you with questions. More information on how PBGC processes QDROs that are qualified before PBGC became trustee of the plan is available in PBGC’s written QDRO guidance. You can reach out to PBGC’s Customer Contact Center at 800-400-7242 if you have questions.