- A. Because Louisiana is a community property state, a spouse has an interest in the retirement benefits of a MERS member.
- B. A divorced member of MERS should provide a certified copy of a judgment of divorce and/or community property settlement document indicating that their ex-spouse relinquishes their interest in the member’s benefit paid by MERS. Alternatively, the member should provide a certified copy of a Domestic Relations Order (DRO) signed by a judge and indicating how their retirement benefit must be shared with their former spouse. A certified copy of a signed court order other than a DRO dividing retirement benefits must be approved by the Executive Director prior to implementation.
- C. A married member of MERS must obtain consent of their spouse to leave a retirement benefit of less than fifty percent for that spouse.
- D. Absent a court order directing MERS to split a member’s benefit with an ex-spouse, MERS will make payments to the member only.
Authority Note
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 11:291 and 1823.
Historical Note
HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Treasury, Municipal Employees’ Retirement System, LR 48:2368 (September 2022), amended LR 51:1891 (November 2025).