[Official Guidance]

Text of IRS Notice 2014-19: Application of the Windsor Decision and Rev. Rul. 2013-17 to Qualified Retirement Plans (PDF)
7 pages. Excerpt: "Whether a plan must be amended to reflect the outcome of Windsor and the guidance in Rev. Rul. 2013-17 and this notice depends on the terms of the specific plan ... If a plan's terms with respect to the requirements of section 401(a) define a marital relationship by reference to section 3 of DOMA or are otherwise inconsistent with the outcome of Windsor or the guidance in Rev. Rul. 2013-17 or this notice, then an amendment to the plan that reflects the outcome of Windsor and the guidance in Rev. Rul. 2013-17 and this notice is required by the date specified in Q&A-8 of this notice... If a plan's terms are not inconsistent with the outcome of Windsor and the guidance in Rev. Rul. 2013- 17 and this notice, an amendment generally would not be required. If no amendment to such a plan is made, the plan nonetheless must be operated in accordance with the provisions of Q&A-2 of this notice.... [If] a plan sponsor chooses to apply the rules in a manner that reflects the outcome of Windsor for a period before June 26, 2013, an amendment to the plan that specifies the date as of which, and the purposes for which, the rules are applied in this manner is required.... The deadline to adopt a plan amendment pursuant to this notice is the later of (i) the otherwise applicable deadline under section 5.05 of Rev. Proc. 2007-44, or its successor, or (ii) December 31, 2014." (Internal Revenue Service [IRS])