CFR > Title 5 - Administrative Personnel > CHAPTER I—OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT > SUBCHAPTER B—CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (parts 110 to 990) > PART 838—COURT ORDERS AFFECTING RETIREMENT BENEFITS > SUBPART G—Procedures for Processing Court Orders Awarding Former Spouse Survivor Annuities (§838.701 to §838.735) > 838.731—Commencing date of payments.

838.731—Commencing date of payments.

(a) A former spouse survivor annuity based on a court order acceptable for processing begins to accrue in accordance with the terms of the court order but no earlier than the later of—
(1) The first day after the date of death of the employee, separated employee, or retiree; or
(2) The first day of the second month after OPM receives a copy of the court order acceptable for processing.
(b) OPM will not authorize payment of the former spouse survivor annuity until it receives an application and supporting documentation required under § 838.721.