Code of Federal Regulations Title 5. Administrative Personnel § 5.838.725 Effect on employee and retiree election rights

(a) A court order acceptable for processing that awards a former spouse survivor annuity does not affect a retiring employee's or retiree's rights and obligations to make survivor elections under subpart F of part 831 of this chapter or subpart F of part 842 of this chapter.

(b) A court order acceptable for processing that awards a former spouse survivor annuity requires OPM to pay a former spouse survivor annuity and prevents OPM from paying an elected survivor benefit to a widow or widower or another former spouse if the election is inconsistent with the court order.