Hi, I’ve been in a gay common-law relationship for 20 years. We are parting ways and I am wondering about my DC pension plan (federal as I work for a bank). Does he have any claim to the commuted value at the time of separation?
And what does it take to have him permanently off as a beneficiary?
Not automatically; no. In contrast to legally-married partners (who are subject to different rules), if you were part of a common-law relationship that has ended, then your Ex is not automatically entitled to share in the value of your defined contribution pension.
Unless you and your Ex have an agreement stating otherwise, or else you have obtained a court order or an award made by an arbitrator directing your pension is to be shared (which will arise only rarely), then you are entitled to keep the full value of your pension in the event you and your partner split up.
