Code of Federal Regulations Title 5. Administrative Personnel § 5.838.624 Distinguishing between formulas and fixed amounts

(a) A court order that contains both a formula or percentage instruction and a dollar amount is deemed to include the dollar amount only as the court's estimate of the initial amount of payment. The formula or percentage instruction controls.

(b) A court order that awards a portion of the “present value” of an employee annuity and specifically states the amount of either the “present value” of the employee annuity or of the award is deemed to give the former spouse “a specific dollar amount” that is payable from a monthly employee annuity and will be paid as a lump-sum award in accordance with § 838.235.