After all my years in this business, my brother has now come to me for advice on a subject that is foreign to me. His estranged wife was a Postal employee and has money in the FERS program. I know that the Federal government doesn't follow the same rules that they require of the rest of us. Can anyone give me some tips about the key differences between a typical QDRO and one with FERS?

Here is the weblink to the Hanbook for Attorneys (pages 93-118 being the most useful) and check Update Q&A. There are samples of clauses to effect different purposes. You cannot call it a QDRO. When you submit, you must submit a court-certified copy not only of the benefits splitting order (aka QDRO) but also of the divorce decree (with any attachments to it, such as a stipulation of the parties). The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) insists on court-certified copies of the underlying court order awarding the ex-spouse part of the benefits as part of a community/marital property division. You need to identify in a cover letter the SSNs and DOBs of both employee and ex-spouse. If the employee is retired, include the CSA number of the retiree. You must also certify to OPM that there have been no other court orders affecting the FERS benefits or the award of part as reflected in the court-certified documents you are submitting. More publications with info are available at OPM's Retirement and Insurance Publications.

If your brother is eligible for FEHB coverage as well, that will not take effect until the benefits splitting order is deemed by OPM as acceptable by them. In the meantime, to prevent a gap in coverage, you ought to complete and file a Standard Form 2809 for Temporary Continuation Coverage.

Thanks for the great info!