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Changing a Previously Approved Court Order

What a Revised Order Must Indicate

Any order attempting to change or replace an existing Qualified Domestic Relations Order (Court Order)--in addition to meeting all the Court Order requirements--must:

Specifically state that it amends or supersedes the previously qualified order.
Provide a way to identify the previous Court Order, such as a date when it was signed by the court.

You can send the order to:

TSP Court Order Center
C/O Broadridge Processing
Post Office Box 120
Newark, NJ 07101-0120

General Information on Special Situations

Defined Contribution Plan

If the payee has already requested a total distribution under a TSP Court Order, the revised order may only award the payee an increased benefit. If the revised order seeks a decreased benefit for the payee, the order will be denied.

Shared Payment Approach

A way of drafting a Court Order against a defined benefit plan that provides for the alternate payee and participant to share the participant's benefits. This shared approach provides the alternate payee the right to receive a portion of the participant's benefits at the same time the participant receives benefits.

Separate Interest Approach

A way of drafting a Court Order against a defined benefit plan which establishes a separate interest for the alternate payee. This separate interest provides the alternate payee with the ability to choose when to begin receiving benefits, and to receive payment of benefits for his/her lifetime.

Answer Center

Build Information: SVN-Revision: 3945, Build-TimeStamp: 01/15/2026, Version: 1.0.0