Former Spouse as Beneficiary of Life Insurance Policy Held by Plan

[Christine Roberts]

Would it be possible pursuant to a QDRO or otherwise for a former spouse to be designated the beneficiary of a life insurance policy held by a plan, for the life of the partiicpant spouse?

I am aware of the following thread:

http://benefitslink.com/boards/index.php?showtopic=4395

[mbozek]

A QDRO could provide for the designation of an ex spouse as the irrevocable beneficiary of the LI policy in a qualfied plan-- The question is whether the policy premiums will continue to be paid so that the benefits will be available if the employee dies. The spouse needs to get copies of the premium notices to make sure the premium will be paid. There is case law where cts have issued qdros to require that the spouse be designated as the beneficary of group life policies.

[Christine Roberts]

Thanks for the information. I will be looking for those cases.

[mbozek]

They are easy to find. Met life is a party in all the cases.