On the death of the surviving spouse or former spouse or termination of the annuity of a child, the annuity of any other child or children shall be recomputed and paid as though the spouse, former spouse, or child had not survived the participant. If the annuity to a surviving child who has not been receiving an annuity is initiated or resumed, the annuities of any other children shall be recomputed and paid from that date as though the annuities to all currently eligible children in the family were then being initiated.
The annuity payable to a child under subsection (c) or (d) shall begin on the day after the participant dies, or if the child is not then qualified, on the first day of the month in which the child becomes eligible. The annuity of a child shall terminate on the last day of the month which precedes the month in which eligibility ceases.
At the time of retirement an unmarried participant who does not have a former spouse for whose benefit a reduction is made under subsection (b) may elect to receive a reduced annuity and to provide for an annuity equal to 55 percent of the reduced annuity payable after his or her death to a beneficiary whose name is designated in writing to the Secretary of State. The annuity payable to a participant making such election shall be reduced by 10 percent of an annuity computed under subsection (a) and by 5 percent of an annuity so computed for each full 5 years the designated beneficiary is younger than the retiring participant, but such total reduction shall not exceed 40 percent. No such election of a reduced annuity payable to a beneficiary shall be valid until the participant has satisfactorily passed a physical examination as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The annuity payable to a beneficiary under this subsection shall begin on the day after the annuitant dies and shall terminate on the last day of the month preceding the death of the beneficiary. An annuity which is reduced under this subsection (or any similar prior provision of law) shall, effective the first day of the month following the death of the beneficiary named under this subsection, be recomputed and paid as if the annuity had not been so reduced.
A participant or former participant who was unmarried at retirement and who later marries may, within one year after such marriage, irrevocably elect in writing to receive a reduced annuity and to provide a survivor annuity for the spouse (if such spouse qualifies as a surviving spouse under section 4044(13) of this title). Receipt by the Secretary of State of notice of an election under this subsection voids prospectively any election previously made under subsection (f). The reduction in annuity required by an election under this subsection shall be computed and the amount of the survivor annuity shall be determined in accordance with subsections (b)(2) and (3). The annuity reduction or recomputation shall be effective the first day of the month beginning one year after the date of marriage.
A surviving spouse or surviving former spouse of any participant or former participant shall not become entitled to a survivor annuity or to the restoration of a survivor annuity payable from the Fund under this part unless the survivor elects to receive it instead of any other survivor annuity to which he or she may be entitled under this or any other retirement system for Government employees on the basis of a marriage to someone other than that participant.
An annuity which is reduced under this section or any similar prior provision of law to provide a survivor benefit for a spouse shall, if the marriage of the participant to such spouse is dissolved, be recomputed and paid for each full month during which an annuitant is not married (or is remarried if there is no election in effect under the following sentence) as if the annuity had not been so reduced, subject to any reduction required to provide a survivor benefit under section 4054(b) or (c) of this title. Upon remarriage the retired participant may irrevocably elect, by means of a signed writing received by the Secretary within one year after such remarriage, to receive during such marriage a reduction in annuity for the purpose of allowing an annuity for the new spouse of the annuitant in the event such spouse survives the annuitant. Such reduction shall be equal to the reduction in effect immediately before the dissolution of the previous marriage (unless such reduction is adjusted under section 4054(b)(5) of this title), and shall be effective the first day of the first month beginning one year after the date of remarriage. A survivor annuity elected under this subsection shall be treated in all respects as a survivor annuity under subsection (b).
The Secretary of State shall, on an annual basis-
The retirement, disability, or survivor annuity payable to any person based on the service of an individual subject to section 4045(h) of this title beginning with the first day of the month for which such person first becomes-
shall be computed as if section 8349 of title 5 were applicable.
may, during the 18-month period beginning on the date of the retirement of such participant, elect to have a reduction under subsection (b) made in the annuity of the participant (or in such portion thereof as the participant may designate) in order to provide a survivor annuity for the spouse of such participant.
may, during the 18-month period beginning on the date of the retirement of such participant, elect to have a greater portion of the annuity of such participant so used.
1See Amendment of Section note below.
22 U.S.C. § 4046
Applicability of Amendment For provisions relating to delayed applicability of amendment by Pub. L. 117-225 see Effective Date of 2022 Amendment note set out under section 8336 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Amendment of Section Section 1(b) and (c) of Ex. Ord. No. 12446, Oct. 17, 1983, 48 F.R. 48443, set out as a note under section 4067 of this title, provided that subsection (a) of this section, applicable (i) to contributions for civilian service performed on or after the first day of Nov. 1983, (ii) to contributions for prior refunds to participants for which application is received by the employing agency on and after such first day of Nov. 1983, and (iii) to excess contributions under section 4055(h) of this title and voluntary contributions under section 4065(a) of this title from the first day of Nov. 1983, is deemed to be amended to exclude from the computation of creditable civilian service under section 4056(a) of this title any period of civilian service for which retirement deductions or contributions have not been made under section 4045(d) of this title unless- (1) the participant makes a contribution for such period as provided in such section 4045(d) of this title; or(2) no contribution is required for such service as provided under section 4045(f) of this title as deemed to be amended by this Order, or under any other statute.
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThe Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (m)(2), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Title II of the Social Security Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§401 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables.
AMENDMENTS2022-Subsec. (a)(6)(D). Pub. L. 117-225 added subpar. (D).2012-Subsec. (a)(2)(B), (3). Pub. L. 112-96 substituted "section 8415(e)" for "section 8415(d)". 2002-Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 107-228 added par. (9).1998-Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 105-382, §2(d)(1), added par. (6). Former par. (6) redesignated (7). Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 105-382, §2(d)(2)(B), added par. (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (8).Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 105-382, §2(d)(2)(A), (3) (A), redesignated par. (7) as (8) and substituted "(4), and (6)" for "and (4)".1992-Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 102-499 substituted "section 5545(c)(2)" for "section 5545(a)(2)". 1990-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101-513 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added pars. (2) to (6). 1988-Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 100-238, §213(a), substituted "24-month" for "12-month".Subsec. (c)(1), (2). Pub. L. 100-238, §214(a)(1), inserted "or a former spouse who is the natural or adoptive parent of a surviving child of the annuitant" after "survived by a spouse".Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100-238, §214(a)(2), amended first sentence generally. Prior to amendment, first sentence read as follows: "If a surviving spouse dies or the annuity of a child is terminated, the annuities of any remaining children shall be recomputed and paid as though such spouse or child had not survived the participant."Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 100-238, §213(b), substituted "this part" for "section 4054(b) of this title". Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 100-238, §217(c)(1), struck out subsec. (l) which set minimum rates for annuities paid under this part. 1986-Subsecs. (b)(3)(C), (h). Pub. L. 99-335, §402(a)(3), inserted "under this part" after "payable from the Fund".Subsec. (l)(1), (2). Pub. L. 99-335, §402(a)(2), substituted "part" for "subchapter".Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 99-556, §402, amended subsec. (m) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (m) read as follows: "The annuity or survivor annuity payable to any individual subject to section 4045(h) of this title beginning with the first month for which such individual both-"(1) attains the minimum age for old-age benefits under title II of the Social Security Act, and "(2) first becomes entitled, or would upon proper application become entitled, for disability or survivor benefits under title II of the Social Security Act based on the service of any individual under this part, shall be computed as if section 8349 of title 5 were applicable." Pub. L. 99-335, §406, added subsec. (m).Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 99-335, §407, added subsec. (n).
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2022 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 117-225 effective Dec. 9, 2022, and applicable to an individual who suffers an illness or injury described in certain Code provisions on or after the date that is 2 years after Dec. 9, 2022, see section 3(f) of Pub. L. 117-225 set out as a note under section 8336 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2002 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 107-228, div. A, title III, §322(c)(1), Sept. 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 1385, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a)(1) [amending this section] and (b)(1) [amending section 4071d of this title] shall apply to service performed on or after the first day of the first pay period beginning on or after the date that is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 30, 2002]."
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 105-382 effective Nov. 13, 1998, with provisions relating to applicability with respect to certain individuals, see section 4 of Pub. L. 105-382 as amended, set out as a note under section 4044 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 100-238 effective 90 days after Jan. 8, 1988, see section 261(a) of Pub. L. 100-238 set out as a note under section 4054 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENTS Pub. L. 99-556, title IV, §408, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3139, provided that: "This title and the amendments made by this title [enacting section 4069 of this title and amending this section and sections 4064, 4071c, 4071d, and 4071j of this title] shall take effect on January 1, 1987. The amendment made by section 403 [amending section 4064 of this title] shall apply to any individual in a reemployed status on or after January 1, 1987."Amendment by Pub. L. 99-335 effective Jan. 1, 1987, see section 702(a) of Pub. L. 99-335 set out as an Effective Date note under section 8401 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. Pub. L. 99-335, title IV, §417, June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 622, provided that:"(a) REGULATIONS.-Notwithstanding section 702 of this Act [5 U.S.C. 8401 note], the authority of the Secretary of State to issue regulations under subchapter II of title 8 [probably means subchapter II of chapter 8 of title I] of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 [part II of this subchapter] shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [June 6, 1986]."(b) 18-MONTH PERIOD TO ELECT SURVIVOR ANNUITY.-(1) Notwithstanding section 702 of this Act, the amendment made by section 407 [enacting subsec. (n) of this section] shall take effect 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act."(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the amendment made by section 407 shall apply with respect to participants and former participants who retire before, on, or after such amendment first takes effect."(B) For the purpose of applying the provisions of paragraph (1) of section 806(n) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (as added by section 407) to former participants who retire before the date on which the amendment first takes effect- "(i) the period referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of such paragraph (as the case may be) shall be considered to begin on the date on which such amendment first becomes effective; and"(ii) the amount referred to in paragraph (2) of such section 806(n) shall be computed without regard to the provisions of subparagraph (B)(ii) of such paragraph (relating to interest)."(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term 'participant' has the meaning given that term in section 803 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4043)."
REGULATIONSFor provisions relating to promulgation of regulations to carry out the amendments made by Pub. L. 117-225 see section 3(e) of Pub. L. 117-225 set out as a note under section 8336 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
ELECTION TO PROVIDE SURVIVOR ANNUITY FOR CERTAIN SPOUSES ACQUIRED BEFORE EFFECTIVE DATE OF FOREIGN SERVICE ACT OF 1980 Pub. L. 100-238, title II, §203, Jan. 8, 1988, 101 Stat. 1769, provided that:"(a) ELECTION.-A former participant who married his or her current spouse before the effective date of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 [see Effective Date note set out under section 3901 of this title] and who married such spouse after retirement under the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System and who was unable to provide a survivor annuity for such spouse because-"(1) the participant was married at the time of retirement and elected not to provide a survivor annuity for that spouse at the time of retirement, or"(2) subject to subsection (e), the participant failed to notify the Secretary of State of the participant's post-retirement marriage within one year after the marriage,may make the election described in subsection (b)."(b) ELECTION DESCRIBED.-"(1) The election referred to in subsection (a) is an election in writing- "(A) to provide for a survivor annuity for such spouse under section 806(g) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4046(g)); "(B) to have his or her annuity reduced under section 806(b)(2) of such Act; and"(C) to deposit in the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund an amount determined by the Secretary of State, as nearly as may be administratively feasible, to reflect the amount by which such participant's annuity would have been reduced had the election been continuously in effect since the annuity commenced, plus interest computed under paragraph (2)."(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), the annual rate of interest shall be 6 percent for each year during which the annuity would have been reduced if the election had been in effect on and after the date the annuity commenced."(c) OFFSET.-If the participant does not make the deposit referred to in subsection (b)(1)(C), the Secretary of State shall collect such amount by offset against such participant's annuity, up to a maximum of 25 percent of the net annuity otherwise payable to such participant. Such participant is deemed to consent to such offset."(d) NOTICE.-The Secretary of State shall provide for notice to the general public of the right to make an election under this section."(e) PROOF OF ATTEMPTED ELECTION.-In any case in which subsection (a)(2) applies, the retired employee or Member shall provide the Secretary of State with such documentation as the Secretary of State shall decide is appropriate, to show that such participant attempted to elect a reduced annuity with survivor benefit for his or her current spouse and that such election was rejected by the Secretary of State because it was untimely filed."(f) DEPOSIT.-A deposit required by this subsection may be made by the surviving spouse of the participant. "(g) LIMITATION.-The election authorized in subsection (a) may only be made within one year after the date of enactment of this title [Jan. 8, 1988] in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Secretary of State. "(h) DEFINITIONS.-For the purposes of this section, the terms 'participant' and 'surviving spouse' have the same meaning given such terms in subchapter I of chapter 8 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 [this part]."
- Government
- "Government" means the Government of the United States;
- agency
- "agency" means an agency as defined in section 552(e) 1 of title 5;