The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. (1) Alternate payee--A spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a member or retiree who is recognized by a domestic relations order as having a right to receive all or a portion of the benefits payable by the system with respect to such member or retiree. (2) Benefits or benefits payable with respect to a member or retiree--Any annuity, partial lump sum distribution, or return of contributions authorized by the program provisions. (3) Board of trustees--The board of trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas. (4) Domestic relations order--Any judgment, decree, or order, including approval of a property settlement agreement, which relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights to a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a member or retiree, and is made pursuant to a domestic relations law, including a community property law of the State of Texas or of another state. (5) Executive director--The executive director of the Employees Retirement System of Texas. (6) Program or program provisions--The program of payments of benefits, as defined in this section, and as established by the statutes, rules, procedures, and policies applicable to the system. (7) Qualified domestic relations order--A domestic relations order which creates or recognizes the existence of an alternate payee's right, or assigns to an alternate payee the right, to receive all or a portion of the benefits payable with respect to a member or retiree under the system, which directs the system to disburse benefits to the alternate payee, and which meets the requirements of Texas Government Code Ann. §804.003. (8) System--The Employees Retirement System of Texas, the Judicial Retirement System of Texas Plan I, and the Judicial Retirement System of Texas Plan II, administered by the board of trustees. |
