Part C - Computation of Annuities

50 USC 2031 - Computation of annuities

(a) Annuity of participant 

(1) Computation of annuity 
The annuity of a participant is the product of
(A) the participants high-3 average pay (as defined in paragraph (4)); and
(B) the number of years, not exceeding 35, of service credit (determined in accordance with sections 2081 and 2082 of this title) multiplied by 2 percent.
(2) Credit for unused sick leave 
The total service of a participant who retires on an immediate annuity (except under section 2051 of this title) or who dies leaving a survivor or survivors entitled to an annuity shall include (without regard to the 35-year limitation prescribed in paragraph (1)) the days of unused sick leave to the credit of the participant. Days of unused sick leave may not be counted in determining average basic pay or eligibility for an annuity under this subchapter. A deposit shall not be required for days of unused sick leave credited under this paragraph.
(3) Crediting of part-time service 

(A) In general 
In the case of a participant whose service includes service on a part-time basis performed after April 6, 1986, the participants annuity shall be the sum of the amounts determined under subparagraphs (B) and (C).
(B) Computation of pre-April 7, 1986, annuity 
The portion of an annuity referred to in subparagraph (A) with respect to service before April 7, 1986, shall be the amount computed under paragraph (1) using the participants length of service before that date (increased by the unused sick leave to the credit of the participant at the time of retirement) and the participants high-3 average pay.
(C) Computation of post-April 6, 1986, annuity 
The portion of an annuity referred to in subparagraph (A) with respect to service after April 6, 1986, shall be the product of
(i) the amount computed under paragraph (1), using the participants length of service after that date and the participants high-3 average pay, as determined by using the annual rate of basic pay that would be payable for full-time service; and
(ii) the ratio which the participants actual service after April 6, 1986 (as determined by prorating the participants total service after that date to reflect the service that was performed on a part-time basis) bears to the total service after that date that would be creditable for the participant if all the service had been performed on a full-time basis.
(D) Treatment of employment on temporary or intermittent basis 
Employment on a temporary or intermittent basis shall not be considered to be service on a part-time basis for purposes of this paragraph.
(4) High-3 average pay defined 
For purposes of this subsection, a participants high-3 average pay is the amount of the participants average basic pay for the highest 3 consecutive years of the participants service for which full contributions have been made to the fund.
(5) Computation of service 
In determining the aggregate period of service upon which an annuity is to be based, any fractional part of a month shall not be counted.
(b) Spouse or former spouse survivor annuity 

(1) Reduction in participant’s annuity to provide spouse or former spouse survivor annuity 

(A) General rule 
Except to the extent provided otherwise under a written election under subparagraph (B) or (C), if at the time of retirement a participant or former participant is married (or has a former spouse who has not remarried before attaining age 55), the participant shall receive a reduced annuity and provide a survivor annuity for the participants spouse under this subsection or former spouse under section 2032 (b) of this title, or a combination of such annuities, as the case may be.
(B) Joint election for waiver or reduction of spouse survivor annuity 
A married participant or former participant and the participants spouse may jointly elect in writing at the time of retirement to waive a survivor annuity for that spouse under this section or to reduce such survivor annuity under this section by designating a portion of the annuity of the participant as the base for the survivor annuity. If the marriage is dissolved following an election for such a reduced annuity and the spouse qualifies as a former spouse, the base used in calculating any annuity of the former spouse under section 2032 (b) of this title may not exceed the portion of the participants annuity designated under this subparagraph.
(C) Joint election of participant and former spouse 
If a participant or former participant has a former spouse, such participant and the participants former spouse may jointly elect by spousal agreement under section 2094 (b) of this title to waive, reduce, or increase a survivor annuity under section 2032 (b) of this title for that former spouse. Any such election must be made
(i)  before the end of the 12-month period beginning on the date on which the divorce or annulment involving that former spouse becomes final, or
(ii)  at the time of retirement of the participant, whichever is later.
(D) Unilateral elections in absence of spouse or former spouse 
The Director may prescribe regulations under which a participant or former participant may make an election under subparagraph (B) or (C) without the participants spouse or former spouse if the participant establishes to the satisfaction of the Director that the participant does not know, and has taken all reasonable steps to determine, the whereabouts of the spouse or former spouse.
(2) Amount of reduction in participant’s annuity 
The annuity of a participant or former participant providing a survivor annuity under this section (or section 2032 (b) of this title), excluding any portion of the annuity not designated or committed as a base for any survivor annuity, shall be reduced by 21/2 percent of the first $3,600 plus 10 percent of any amount over $3,600. The reduction under this paragraph shall be calculated before any reduction under section 2032 (a)(5) of this title.
(3) Amount of surviving spouse annuity 

(A) In general 
If a retired participant receiving a reduced annuity under this subsection dies and is survived by a spouse, a survivor annuity shall be paid to the surviving spouse. The amount of the annuity shall be equal to 55 percent of
(i)  the full amount of the participants annuity computed under subsection (a) of this section, or
(ii)  any lesser amount elected as the base for the survivor annuity under paragraph (1)(B).
(B) Limitation 
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the amount of the annuity calculated under subparagraph (A) for a surviving spouse in any case in which there is also a surviving former spouse of the retired participant who qualifies for an annuity under section 2032 (b) of this title may not exceed 55 percent of the portion (if any) of the base for survivor annuities which remains available under section 2032 (b)(4)(B) of this title.
(C) Effective date and termination of annuity 
An annuity payable from the fund to a surviving spouse under this paragraph shall commence on the day after the retired participant dies and shall terminate on the last day of the month before the surviving spouses death or remarriage before attaining age 55. If such survivor annuity is terminated because of remarriage, it shall be restored at the same rate commencing on the date such remarriage is dissolved by death, annulment, or divorce if any lump sum paid upon termination of the annuity is returned to the fund.
(c) 18-month open period after retirement to provide spouse coverage 

(1) Survivor annuity elections 

(A) Election when spouse coverage waived at time of retirement 
A participant or former participant who retires after March 31, 1992 and who
(i) is married at the time of retirement; and
(ii) elects at that time (in accordance with subsection (b) of this section) to waive a survivor annuity for the spouse,

may, during the 18-month period beginning on the date of the retirement of the participant, elect to have a reduction under subsection (b) of this section made in the annuity of the participant (or in such portion thereof as the participant may designate) in order to provide a survivor annuity for the participants spouse.

(B) Election when reduced spouse annuity elected 
A participant or former participant who retires after March 31, 1992, and
(i) who, at the time of retirement, is married, and
(ii) who, at that time designates (in accordance with subsection (b) of this section) that a portion of the annuity of such participant is to be used as the base for a survivor annuity,

may, during the 18-month period beginning on the date of the retirement of such participant, elect to have a greater portion of the annuity of such participant so used.

(2) Deposit required 

(A) Requirement 
An election under paragraph (1) shall not be effective unless the amount specified in subparagraph (B) is deposited into the fund before the end of that 18-month period.
(B) Amount of deposit 
The amount to be deposited with respect to an election under this subsection is the amount equal to the sum of the following:
(i) Additional cost to system The additional cost to the system that is associated with providing a survivor annuity under subsection (b) of this section and that results from such election, taking into account
(I) the difference (for the period between the date on which the annuity of the participant or former participant commences and the date of the election) between the amount paid to such participant or former participant under this subchapter and the amount which would have been paid if such election had been made at the time the participant or former participant applied for the annuity; and
(II) the costs associated with providing for the later election.
(ii) Interest Interest on the additional cost determined under clause (i), computed using the interest rate specified or determined under section 8334 (e) of title 5 for the calendar year in which the amount to be deposited is determined.
(3) Voiding of previous elections 
An election by a participant or former participant under this subsection voids prospectively any election previously made in the case of such participant under subsection (b) of this section.
(4) Reductions in annuity 
An annuity that is reduced in connection with an election under this subsection shall be reduced by the same percentage reductions as were in effect at the time of the retirement of the participant or former participant whose annuity is so reduced.
(5) Rights and obligations resulting from reduced annuity election 
Rights and obligations resulting from the election of a reduced annuity under this subsection shall be the same as the rights and obligations that would have resulted had the participant involved elected such annuity at the time of retirement.
(d) Annuities for surviving children 

(1) Participants dying before April 1, 1992 
In the case of a retired participant who died before April 1, 1992, and who is survived by a child or children
(A) if the retired participant was survived by a spouse, there shall be paid from the fund to or on behalf of each such surviving child an annuity determined under paragraph (3)(A); and
(B) if the retired participant was not survived by a spouse, there shall be paid from the fund to or on behalf of each such surviving child an annuity determined under paragraph (3)(B).
(2) Participants dying on or after April 1, 1992 
In the case of a retired participant who dies on or after April 1, 1992, and who is survived by a child or children
(A) if the retired participant is survived by a spouse or former spouse who is the natural or adoptive parent of a surviving child of the participant, there shall be paid from the fund to or on behalf of each such surviving child an annuity determined under paragraph (3)(A); and
(B) if the retired participant is not survived by a spouse or former spouse who is the natural or adoptive parent of a surviving child of the participant, there shall be paid to or on behalf of each such surviving child an annuity determined under paragraph (3)(B).
(3) Amount of annuity 

(A) The annual amount of an annuity for the surviving child of a participant covered by paragraph (1)(A) or (2)(A) of this subsection (or covered by paragraph (1)(A) or (2)(A) of section 2052 (c) of this title) is the smallest of the following:
(i) 60 percent of the participants high-3 average pay, as determined under subsection (a)(4) of this section, divided by the number of children.
(ii) $900, as adjusted under section 2131 of this title.
(iii) $2,700, as adjusted under section 2131 of this title, divided by the number of children.
(B) The amount of an annuity for the surviving child of a participant covered by paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B) of this subsection (or covered by paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B) of section 2052 (c) of this title) is the smallest of the following:
(i) 75 percent of the participants high-3 average pay, as determined under subsection (a)(4) of this section, divided by the number of children.
(ii) $1,080, as adjusted under section 2131 of this title.
(iii) $3,240, as adjusted under section 2131 of this title, divided by the number of children.
(4) Recomputation of child annuities 

(A) In the case of a child annuity payable under paragraph (1), upon the death of a surviving spouse or the termination of the annuity of a child, the annuities of any remaining children shall be recomputed and paid as though the spouse or child had not survived the retired participant.
(B) In the case of a child annuity payable under paragraph (2), upon the death of a surviving spouse or former spouse or termination of the annuity of a child, the annuities of any remaining children shall be recomputed and paid as though the spouse, former spouse, or child had not survived the retired participant. If the annuity of a surviving child who has not been receiving an annuity is initiated or resumed, the annuities of any other children shall be recomputed and paid from that date as though the annuities of all currently eligible children were then being initiated.
(5) “Former spouse” defined 
For purposes of this subsection, the term former spouse includes any former wife or husband of the retired participant, regardless of the length of marriage or the amount of creditable service completed by the participant.
(e) Commencement and termination of child annuities 

(1) Commencement 
An annuity payable to a child under subsection (d) of this section, or under section 2052 (c) of this title, shall begin on the day after the date on which the participant or retired participant dies or, in the case of an individual over the age of 18 who is not a child within the meaning of section 2002 (b) of this title, shall begin or resume on the first day of the month in which the individual later becomes or again becomes a student as described in section 2002 (b) of this title. Such annuity may not commence until any lump-sum that has been paid is returned to the fund.
(2) Termination 
Such an annuity shall terminate on the last day of the month before the month in which the recipient of the annuity dies or no longer qualifies as a child (as defined in section 2002 (b) of this title).
(f) Participants not married at time of retirement 

(1) Designation of persons with insurable interest 

(A) Authority to make designation 
Subject to the rights of former spouses under subsection (b) of this section and section 2032 of this title, at the time of retirement an unmarried participant found by the Director to be in good health may elect to receive an annuity reduced in accordance with subparagraph (B) and designate in writing an individual having an insurable interest in the participant to receive an annuity under the system after the participants death. The amount of such an annuity shall be equal to 55 percent of the participants reduced annuity.
(B) Reduction in participant’s annuity 
The annuity payable to the participant making such election shall be reduced by 10 percent of an annuity computed under subsection (a) of this section and by an additional 5 percent for each full 5 years the designated individual is younger than the participant. The total reduction under this subparagraph may not exceed 40 percent.
(C) Commencement of survivor annuity 
The annuity payable to the designated individual shall begin on the day after the retired participant dies and terminate on the last day of the month before the designated individual dies.
(D) Recomputation of participant’s annuity on death of designated individual 
An annuity which is reduced under this paragraph shall, effective the first day of the month following the death of the designated individual, be recomputed and paid as if the annuity had not been so reduced.
(2) Election of survivor annuity upon subsequent marriage 
A participant who is unmarried at the time of retirement and who later marries may irrevocably elect, in a signed writing received by the Director within one year after the marriage, to receive a reduced annuity as provided in subsection (b) of this section. Such election and reduction shall be effective on the first day of the month beginning 9 months after the date of marriage. The election voids prospectively any election previously made under paragraph (1).
(g) Effect of divorce after retirement 

(1) Recomputation of retired participant’s annuity upon divorce 
An annuity which is reduced under this section (or any similar prior provision of law) to provide a survivor annuity for a spouse shall, if the marriage of the retired participant to such spouse is dissolved, be recomputed and paid for each full month during which a retired participant is not married (or is remarried, if there is no election in effect under paragraph (2)) as if the annuity had not been so reduced, subject to any reduction required to provide a survivor annuity under subsection (b) or (c) of section 2032 of this title or under section 2036 of this title.
(2) Election of survivor annuity upon subsequent remarriage 

(A) In general 
Upon remarriage, the retired participant may irrevocably elect, by means of a signed writing received by the Director within one year after such remarriage, to receive a reduced annuity for the purpose of providing an annuity for the new spouse of the retired participant in the event such spouse survives the retired participant. Such reduction shall be equal to the reduction in effect immediately before the dissolution of the previous marriage (unless such reduction is adjusted under section 2032 (b)(5) of this title or elected under subparagraph (B)).
(B) When annuity previously not (or not fully) reduced 

(i) Election If the retired participants annuity was not reduced (or was not fully reduced) to provide a survivor annuity for the participants spouse or former spouse as of the time of retirement, the retired participant may make an election under the first sentence of subparagraph (A) upon remarriage to a spouse other than the spouse at the time of retirement. For any remarriage that occurred before August 14, 1991, the retired participant may make such an election within 2 years after such date.
(ii) Deposit required
(I) The retired participant shall, within one year after the date of the remarriage (or by August 14, 1993 for any remarriage that occurred before August 14, 1991), deposit in the fund an amount determined by the Director, as nearly as may be administratively feasible, to reflect the amount by which the retired participants annuity would have been reduced if the election had been in effect since the date the annuity commenced, plus interest.
(II) The annual rate of interest for each year during which the retired participants annuity would have been reduced if the election had been in effect since the date the annuity commenced shall be 6 percent.
(III) If the retired participant does not make the deposit, the Director shall collect such amount by offset against the participants annuity, up to a maximum of 25 percent of the net annuity otherwise payable to the retired participant, and the retired participant is deemed to consent to such offset.
(IV) The deposit required by this subparagraph may be made by the surviving spouse of the retired participant.
(C) Effects of election 
An election under this paragraph and the reduction in the participants annuity shall be effective on the first day of the month beginning 9 months after the date of remarriage. A survivor annuity elected under this paragraph shall be treated in all respects as a survivor annuity under subsection (b) of this section.
(h) Coordination of annuities 

(1) Surviving spouse 
A surviving spouse whose survivor annuity was terminated because of remarriage before attaining age 55 shall not be entitled under subsection (b)(3)(C) of this section to the restoration of that survivor annuity payable from the fund unless the surviving spouse elects to receive it instead of any other survivor annuity to which the surviving spouse may be entitled under the system or any other retirement system for Government employees by reason of the remarriage.
(2) Former spouse 
A surviving former spouse of a participant or retired participant shall not become entitled under section 2032 (b) or 2034 of this title to a survivor annuity or to the restoration of a survivor annuity payable from the fund unless the surviving former spouse elects to receive it instead of any other survivor annuity to which the surviving former spouse may be entitled under this or any other retirement system for Government employees on the basis of a marriage to someone other than the participant.
(3) Surviving spouse of post-retirement marriage 
A surviving spouse who married a participant after the participants retirement shall be entitled to a survivor annuity payable from the fund only upon electing that annuity instead of any other survivor annuity to which the surviving spouse may be entitled under this or any other retirement system for Government employees on the basis of a marriage to someone other than the retired participant.
(i) Supplemental survivor annuities 

(1) Spouse of recalled annuitant 
A married recalled annuitant who reverts to retired status with entitlement to a supplemental annuity under section 2111 (b) of this title shall, unless the annuitant and the annuitants spouse jointly elect in writing to the contrary at the time of reversion to retired status, have the supplemental annuity reduced by 10 percent to provide a supplemental survivor annuity for the annuitants spouse. Such supplemental survivor annuity shall be equal to 55 percent of the supplemental annuity of the annuitant.
(2) Regulations 
The Director shall prescribe regulations to provide for the application of paragraph (1) of this subsection and of subsection (b) of section 2111 of this title in any case in which an annuitant has a former spouse who was married to the recalled annuitant at any time during the period of recall service and who qualifies for an annuity under section 2032 (b) of this title.
(j) Offset of annuities by amount of social security benefit 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, an annuity (including a disability annuity) payable under this subchapter to an individual described in sections 2021 (d)(1) and 2151 (c)(1) of this title and any survivor annuity payable under this subchapter on the basis of the service of such individual shall be reduced in a manner consistent with section 8349 of title 5, under conditions consistent with the conditions prescribed in that section.
(k) Information from other agencies 

(1) Other agencies 
For the purpose of ensuring the accuracy of the information used in the determination of eligibility for and the computation of annuities payable from the fund under this subchapter, at the request of the Director
(A) the Secretary of Defense shall provide information on retired or retainer pay paid under title 10;
(B) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide information on pensions or compensation paid under title 38;
(C) the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide information contained in the records of the Social Security Administration; and
(D) the Secretary of Labor shall provide information on benefits paid under subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5.
(2) Limitation on information requested 
The Director shall request only such information as the Director determines is necessary.
(3) Limitation on uses of information 
The Director, in consultation with the officials from whom information is requested, shall ensure that information made available under this subsection is used only for the purposes authorized.
(l) Information on rights under system 
The Director shall, on an annual basis
(1) inform each retired participant of the participants right of election under subsections (c), (f)(2), and (g) of this section; and
(2) to the maximum extent practicable, inform spouses and former spouses of participants, former participants, and retired participants of their rights under this chapter.

50 USC 2032 - Annuities for former spouses

(a) Former spouse share of participant’s annuity 

(1) Pro rata share 
Unless otherwise expressly provided by a spousal agreement or court order under section 2094 (b) of this title, a former spouse of a participant, former participant, or retired participant is entitled to an annuity
(A) if married to the participant, former participant, or retired participant throughout the creditable service of the participant, equal to 50 percent of the annuity of the participant; or
(B) if not married to the participant throughout such creditable service, equal to that proportion of 50 percent of such annuity that is the proportion that the number of days of the marriage of the former spouse to the participant during periods of creditable service of such participant under this subchapter bears to the total number of days of such creditable service.
(2) Disqualification upon remarriage before age 55 
A former spouse is not qualified for an annuity under this subsection if before the commencement of that annuity the former spouse remarries before becoming 55 years of age.
(3) Commencement of annuity 
The annuity of a former spouse under this subsection commences on the day the participant upon whose service the annuity is based becomes entitled to an annuity under this subchapter or on the first day of the month after the divorce or annulment involved becomes final, whichever is later.
(4) Termination of annuity 
The annuity of such former spouse and the right thereto terminate on
(A) the last day of the month before the month in which the former spouse dies or remarries before 55 years of age; or
(B) the date on which the annuity of the participant terminates (except in the case of an annuity subject to paragraph (5)(B)).
(5) Treatment of participant’s annuity 

(A) Reduction in participant’s annuity 
The annuity payable to any participant shall be reduced by the amount of an annuity under this subsection paid to any former spouse based upon the service of that participant. Such reduction shall be disregarded in calculating
(i) the survivor annuity for any spouse, former spouse, or other survivor under this subchapter; and
(ii) any reduction in the annuity of the participant to provide survivor benefits under subsection (b) of this section or under section 2031 (b) of this title.
(B) Treatment when annuitant returns to service 
If an annuitant whose annuity is reduced under subparagraph (A) is recalled to service under section 2111 of this title, or reinstated or reappointed, in the case of a recovered disability annuitant, or if any annuitant is reemployed as provided for under sections 2112 and 2113 of this title, the pay of that annuitant shall be reduced by the same amount as the annuity would have been reduced if it had continued. Amounts equal to the reductions under this subparagraph shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the fund.
(6) Disability annuitant 
Notwithstanding paragraph (3), in the case of a former spouse of a disability annuitant
(A) the annuity of that former spouse shall commence on the date on which the participant would qualify on the basis of the participants creditable service for an annuity under this subchapter (other than a disability annuity) or the date on which the disability annuity begins, whichever is later, and
(B) the amount of the annuity of the former spouse shall be calculated on the basis of the annuity for which the participant would otherwise so qualify.
(7) Election of benefits 
A former spouse of a participant, former participant, or retired participant shall not become entitled under this subsection to an annuity payable from the fund unless the former spouse elects to receive it instead of any survivor annuity to which the former spouse may be entitled under this or any other retirement system for Government employees on the basis of a marriage to someone other than the participant.
(8) Limitation in case of multiple former spouse annuities 
No spousal agreement or court order under section 2094 (b) of this title involving a participant may provide for an annuity or a combination of annuities under this subsection that exceeds the annuity of the participant.
(b) Former spouse survivor annuity 

(1) Pro rata share 
Subject to any election under section 2031 (b)(1)(B) and (C) of this title and unless otherwise expressly provided by a spousal agreement or court order under section 2094 (b) of this title, if an annuitant is survived by a former spouse, the former spouse shall be entitled
(A) if married to the annuitant throughout the creditable service of the annuitant, to a survivor annuity equal to 55 percent of the unreduced amount of the annuitants annuity, as computed under section 2031 (a) of this title; and
(B) if not married to the annuitant throughout such creditable service, to a survivor annuity equal to that proportion of 55 percent of the unreduced amount of such annuity that is the proportion that the number of days of the marriage of the former spouse to the participant during periods of creditable service of such participant under this subchapter bears to the total number of days of such creditable service.
(2) Disqualification upon remarriage before age 55 
A former spouse shall not be qualified for an annuity under this subsection if before the commencement of that annuity the former spouse remarries before becoming 55 years of age.
(3) Commencement, termination, and restoration of annuity 
An annuity payable from the fund under this subchapter to a surviving former spouse under this subsection shall commence on the day after the annuitant dies and shall terminate on the last day of the month before the former spouses death or remarriage before attaining age 55. If such a survivor annuity is terminated because of remarriage, it shall be restored at the same rate commencing on the date such remarriage is dissolved by death, annulment, or divorce if any lump sum paid upon termination of the annuity is returned to the fund.
(4) Survivor annuity amount 

(A) Maximum amount 
The maximum survivor annuity or combination of survivor annuities under this subsection (and section 2031 (b)(3) of this title) with respect to any participant may not exceed 55 percent of the full amount of the participants annuity, as calculated under section 2031 (a) of this title.
(B) Limitation on other survivor annuities based on service of same participant 
Once a survivor annuity has been provided under this subsection for any former spouse, a survivor annuity for another individual may thereafter be provided under this subsection (or section 2031 (b)(3) of this title) with respect to the participant only for that portion (if any) of the maximum available which is not committed for survivor benefits for any former spouse whose prospective right to such annuity has not terminated by reason of death or remarriage.
(C) Finality of court order upon death of participant 
After the death of a participant or retired participant, a court order under section 2094 (b) of this title may not adjust the amount of the annuity of a former spouse of that participant or retired participant under this section.
(5) Effect of termination of former spouse entitlement 

(A) Recomputation of participant’s annuity 
If a former spouse of a retired participant dies or remarries before attaining age 55, the annuity of the retired participant, if reduced to provide a survivor annuity for that former spouse, shall be recomputed and paid, effective on the first day of the month beginning after such death or remarriage, as if the annuity had not been so reduced, unless an election is in effect under subparagraph (B).
(B) Election of spouse annuity 
Subject to paragraph (4)(B), the participant may elect in writing within one year after receipt of notice of the death or remarriage of the former spouse to continue the reduction in order to provide a higher survivor annuity under section 2031 (b)(3) of this title for any spouse of the participant.
(c) Optional additional survivor annuities for other former spouse or surviving spouse 

(1) In general 
In the case of any participant providing a survivor annuity under subsection (b) of this section for a former spouse
(A) such participant may elect, or
(B) a spousal agreement or court order under section 2094 (b) of this title may provide for,

an additional survivor annuity under this subsection for any other former spouse or spouse surviving the participant, if the participant satisfactorily passes a physical examination as prescribed by the Director.

(2) Limitation 
Neither the total amount of survivor annuity or annuities under this subsection with respect to any participant, nor the survivor annuity or annuities for any one surviving spouse or former spouse of such participant under this section or section 2031 of this title, may exceed 55 percent of the unreduced amount of the participants annuity, as computed under section 2031 (a) of this title.
(3) Contribution for additional annuities 

(A) Provision of additional survivor annuity 
In accordance with regulations which the Director shall prescribe, the participant involved may provide for any annuity under this subsection
(i) by a reduction in the annuity or an allotment from the basic pay of the participant;
(ii) by a lump-sum payment or installment payments to the fund; or
(iii) by any combination thereof.
(B) Actuarial equivalence to benefit 
The present value of the total amount to accrue to the fund under subparagraph (A) to provide any annuity under this subsection shall be actuarially equivalent in value to such annuity, as calculated upon such tables of mortality as may from time to time be prescribed for this purpose by the Director.
(C) Effect of former spouse’s death or disqualification 
If a former spouse predeceases the participant or remarries before attaining age 55 (or, in the case of a spouse, the spouse predeceases the participant or does not qualify as a former spouse upon dissolution of the marriage)
(i) if an annuity reduction or pay allotment under subparagraph (A) is in effect for that spouse or former spouse, the annuity shall be recomputed and paid as if it had not been reduced or the pay allotment terminated, as the case may be; and
(ii) any amount accruing to the fund under subparagraph (A) shall be refunded, but only to the extent that such amount may have exceeded the actuarial cost of providing benefits under this subsection for the period such benefits were provided, as determined under regulations prescribed by the Director.
(D) Recomputation upon death or remarriage of former spouse 
Under regulations prescribed by the Director, an annuity shall be recomputed (or a pay allotment terminated or adjusted), and a refund provided (if appropriate), in a manner comparable to that provided under subparagraph (C), in order to reflect a termination or reduction of future benefits under this subsection for a spouse in the event a former spouse of the participant dies or remarries before attaining age 55 and an increased annuity is provided for that spouse in accordance with this section.
(4) Commencement and termination of additional survivor annuity 
An annuity payable under this subsection to a spouse or former spouse shall commence on the day after the participant dies and shall terminate on the last day of the month before the spouses or the former spouses death or remarriage before attaining age 55.
(5) Nonapplicability of COLA provision 
Section 2131 of this title does not apply to an annuity under this subsection, unless authorized under regulations prescribed by the Director.

50 USC 2033 - Election of survivor benefits for certain former spouses divorced as of November 15, 1982

(a) Former spouses as of November 15, 1982 
A participant, former participant, or retired participant in the system who on November 15, 1982, had a former spouse may, by a spousal agreement, elect to receive a reduced annuity and provide a survivor annuity for such former spouse under section 2032 (b) of this title.
(b) Time for making election 

(1) If the participant or former participant has not retired under such system on or before November 15, 1982, an election under this section may be made at any time before retirement.
(2) If the participant or former participant has retired under such system on or before November 15, 1982, an election under this section may be made within such period after November 15, 1982, as the Director may prescribe.
(3) For the purposes of applying this subchapter, any such election shall be treated in the same manner as if it were a spousal agreement under section 2094 (b) of this title.
(c) Base for annuity 
An election under this section may provide for a survivor annuity based on all or any portion of that part of the annuity of the participant which is not designated or committed as a base for a survivor annuity for a spouse or any other former spouse of the participant. The participant and the participants spouse may make an election under section 2031 (b)(1)(B) of this title before the time of retirement for the purpose of allowing an election to be made under this section.
(d) Reduction in participant’s annuity 

(1) Computation 
The amount of the reduction in the participants annuity shall be determined in accordance with section 2031 (b)(2) of this title.
(2) Effective date of reduction 
Such reduction shall be effective as of
(A) the commencing date of the participants annuity, in the case of an election under subsection (b)(1) of this section; or
(B) November 15, 1982, in the case of an election under subsection (b)(2) of this section.

50 USC 2034 - Survivor annuity for certain other former spouses

(a) Survivor annuity 

(1) In general 
An individual who was a former spouse of a participant or retired participant on November 15, 1982, shall be entitled, except to the extent such former spouse is disqualified under subsection (b) of this section, to a survivor annuity equal to 55 percent of the greater of
(A) the unreduced amount of the participants or retired participants annuity, as computed under section 2031 (a) of this title; or
(B) the unreduced amount of what such annuity as so computed would be if the participant, former participant, or retired participant had not elected payment of the lump-sum credit under section 2143 of this title.
(2) Reduction in survivor annuity 
A survivor annuity payable under this section shall be reduced by an amount equal to any survivor annuity payments made to the former spouse under section 2033 of this title.
(b) Limitations 
A former spouse is not entitled to a survivor annuity under this section if
(1) the former spouse remarries before age 55, except that the entitlement of the former spouse to such a survivor annuity shall be restored on the date such remarriage is dissolved by death, annulment, or divorce; or
(2) the former spouse is less than 50 years of age.
(c) Commencement and termination of annuity 

(1) Commencement of annuity 
The entitlement of a former spouse to a survivor annuity under this section shall commence
(A) in the case of a former spouse of a participant or retired participant who is deceased as of October 1, 1986, beginning on the later of
(i) the 60th day after such date; or
(ii) the date on which the former spouse reaches age 50; and
(B) in the case of any other former spouse, beginning on the latest of
(i) the date on which the participant or retired participant to whom the former spouse was married dies;
(ii) the 60th day after October 1, 1986; or
(iii) the date on which the former spouse attains age 50.
(2) Termination of annuity 
The entitlement of a former spouse to a survivor annuity under this section terminates on the last day of the month before the former spouses death or remarriage before attaining age 55. The entitlement of a former spouse to such a survivor annuity shall be restored on the date such remarriage is dissolved by death, annulment, or divorce.
(d) Application 

(1) Time limit; waiver 
A survivor annuity under this section shall not be payable unless appropriate written application is provided to the Director, complete with any supporting documentation which the Director may by regulation require. Any such application shall be submitted not later than April 1, 1989. The Director may waive the application deadline under the preceding sentence in any case in which the Director determines that the circumstances warrant such a waiver.
(2) Retroactive benefits 
Upon approval of an application provided under paragraph (1), the appropriate survivor annuity shall be payable to the former spouse with respect to all periods before such approval during which the former spouse was entitled to such annuity under this section, but in no event shall a survivor annuity be payable under this section with respect to any period before October 1, 1986.
(e) Restoration of annuity 
Notwithstanding subsection (d)(1) of this section, the deadline by which an application for a survivor annuity must be submitted shall not apply in cases in which a former spouses entitlement to such a survivor annuity is restored under subsection (b)(1) or (c)(2) of this section.

50 USC 2035 - Retirement annuity for certain former spouses

(a) Retirement annuity 
An individual who was a former spouse of a participant, former participant, or retired participant on November 15, 1982, and any former spouse divorced after November 15, 1982, from a participant or former participant who retired before November 15, 1982, shall be entitled, except to the extent such former spouse is disqualified under subsection (b) of this section, to an annuity
(1) if married to the participant throughout the creditable service of the participant, equal to 50 percent of the annuity of the participant; or
(2) if not married to the participant throughout such creditable service, equal to that former spouses pro rata share of 50 percent of such annuity.
(b) Limitations 
A former spouse is not entitled to an annuity under this section if
(1) the former spouse remarries before age 55, except that the entitlement of the former spouse to an annuity under this section shall be restored on the date such remarriage is dissolved by death, annulment, or divorce; or
(2) the former spouse is less than 50 years of age.
(c) Commencement and termination 

(1) Retirement annuities 
The entitlement of a former spouse to an annuity under this section
(A) shall commence on the later of
(i) the day the participant upon whose service the right to the annuity is based becomes entitled to an annuity under this subchapter;
(ii) the first day of the month in which the divorce or annulment involved becomes final; or
(iii) such former spouses 50th birthday; and
(B) shall terminate on the earlier of
(i) the last day of the month before the former spouse dies or remarries before 55 years of age, except that the entitlement of the former spouse to an annuity under this section shall be restored on the date such remarriage is dissolved by death, annulment, or divorce; or
(ii) the date on which the annuity of the participant terminates.
(2) Disability annuities 
Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(A)(i), in the case of a former spouse of a disability annuitant
(A) the annuity of the former spouse shall commence on the date on which the participant would qualify on the basis of the participants creditable service for an annuity under this subchapter (other than disability annuity) or the date the disability annuity begins, whichever is later; and
(B) the amount of the annuity of the former spouse shall be calculated on the basis of the annuity for which the participant would otherwise so qualify.
(3) Election of benefits 
A former spouse of a participant or retired participant shall not become entitled under this section to an annuity or to the restoration of an annuity payable from the fund unless the former spouse elects to receive it instead of any survivor annuity to which the former spouse may be entitled under this or any other retirement system for Government employees on the basis of a marriage to someone other than the participant.
(4) Application 

(A) Time limit; waiver 
An annuity under this section shall not be payable unless appropriate written application is provided to the Director, complete with any supporting documentation which the Director may by regulation require, not later than June 2, 1990. The Director may waive the application deadline under the preceding sentence in any case in which the Director determines that the circumstances warrant such a waiver.
(B) Retroactive benefits 
Upon approval of an application under subparagraph (A), the appropriate annuity shall be payable to the former spouse with respect to all periods before such approval during which the former spouse was entitled to an annuity under this section, but in no event shall an annuity be payable under this section with respect to any period before December 2, 1987.
(d) Restoration of annuities 
Notwithstanding subsection (c)(4)(A) of this section, the deadline by which an application for a retirement annuity must be submitted shall not apply in cases in which a former spouses entitlement to such annuity is restored under subsection (b)(1) or (c)(1)(B) of this section.
(e) Savings provision 
Nothing in this section shall be construed to impair, reduce, or otherwise affect the annuity or the entitlement to an annuity of a participant or former participant under this subchapter.

50 USC 2036 - Survivor annuities for previous spouses

The Director shall prescribe regulations under which a previous spouse who is divorced after September 29, 1988, from a participant, former participant, or retired participant shall be eligible for a survivor annuity to the same extent and, to the greatest extent practicable, under the same conditions (including reductions to be made in the annuity of the participant) applicable to former spouses (as defined in section 8331 (23) of title 5) of participants in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability System (CSRS) as prescribed by the Civil Service Retirement Spouse Equity Act of 1984.