If you divorce while you are receiving the Lifetime Option, your benefit amount will not change. However, your former spouse may have a right to a portion of your benefit as specified in your divorce decree or QDRO.

If you divorce while you are receiving the Joint and Survivor Option, your benefit amount will not change, and your former spouse will still be eligible for a benefit at the time of your death. If you divorce after July 1, 1998, and your divorce decree or QDRO specifies that your former spouse is no longer eligible for the Joint and Survivor Annuity Benefit, your benefit amount will be adjusted to the Lifetime Option effective the month following your divorce. In either event, your former spouse may have a right to a portion of your benefit as specified in your divorce decree or QDRO.

No.

It is important that NEBF be notified of your death and receive a copy of your death certificate as soon as possible.

Once NEBF receives a copy of your death certificate, NEBF reviews your record to determine the type of benefit you were receiving at the time of your death. If you were receiving the Lifetime Option, your estate will receive the final benefit. That amount will be for the month in which you died, then no further benefits will be due. If you were receiving the Joint and Survivor Option, your estate will receive the benefit amount for the month in which you died. Your spouse will begin receiving the Survivor Benefit the month following your death. This benefit will continue until your spouse dies; then no further benefits will be due.

If you were receiving the Lifetime Option and NEBF is not notified of your death, your estate or the person who received the benefits must repay all benefits paid after your death. If you were receiving the Joint and Survivor Option and NEBF is not notified of your death, your spouse, your estate, or the person who received the benefits must repay all benefits paid after your death. The Trustees may withhold your spouse's Survivor Benefit until all benefits are repaid.

It is important that NEBF be notified of your spouse's death and receive a copy of the death certificate as soon as possible.

Once NEBF receives a copy of your spouse's death certificate, NEBF reviews your record to determine the type of benefit you were receiving at the time of your spouse's death.