CDA Insurance & Benefits in Divorce 3

Question 1

What is the minimum marriage duration required to claim Social Security spousal benefits based on an ex-spouse's record?

Accepted Answer

10 years

Answer

A divorced spouse must have been married for at least 10 years to be eligible for Social Security benefits based on the ex-spouse's earnings record.

Question 2

When a divorce settlement assigns a pension's survivor benefit option to the non-employee spouse, which document legally effectuates this with a defined benefit plan?

Accepted Answer

QDRO

Answer

A QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) is required to assign survivor annuity rights and other pension interests from a defined benefit plan to an alternate payee.

Question 3

A spouse who remarries before age 60 and later divorces again — how does this affect Social Security divorced-spouse benefits from the first marriage?

Accepted Answer

Benefits are suspended but restored upon second divorce

Answer

Remarriage before age 60 disqualifies a divorced spouse from benefits on the first ex-spouse's record, but those benefits are reinstated if the subsequent marriage ends.

Question 4

Under ERISA, a QDRO must specifically identify which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The amount or percentage to be paid to the alternate payee

Answer

A QDRO must clearly specify the amount or percentage (or the manner of determining it) to be paid to the alternate payee to be considered qualified.

Question 5

A divorced spouse covered under a military member's Tricare health plan — under what condition may they retain Tricare coverage after divorce?

Accepted Answer

Under the 20/20/20 rule: 20 years of service, 20-year marriage, 20-year overlap

Answer

The 20/20/20 rule allows a former military spouse to retain full Tricare benefits when the service member served at least 20 years, the marriage lasted at least 20 years, and there is a 20-year overlap.

(CDA) Certified Divorce Advisor Practice Test

(CDA) Certified Divorce Advisor Practice Test

CDA Insurance & Benefits in Divorce 3