Once Your QILDRO is Accepted

for Active IMRF Members
Forest pathway

When IMRF accepts your QILDRO, we will send an address verification to your alternate payee to make sure we have current contact information on file.

If your QILDRO contains dollar amounts only

If your QILDRO contains only dollar amounts, your QILDRO will remain on file until benefits are applied for. Once benefits are applied for, we will again send an address verification to your alternate payee to make sure the contact information we have on file is still current. If we do not receive a signed address verification form back from your alternate payee, we cannot pay them.

If your QILDRO contains percentages

If any part of your QILDRO contains percentages, once we accept your QILDRO we will generate a preliminary estimate of the benefits payable. This information will be sent to:

Your QILDRO will remain on file until benefits are applied for. At that time, we will notify you that we require the court-certified Calculation Order. We will also send you, your alternate payee, and the attorney information about your final benefit amounts that you will need to complete the Calculation Order.

When will we pay you and your alternate payee?

A QILDRO requires IMRF to split your IMRF benefit at the time it is paid to you. Your alternate payee cannot receive any payments from IMRF before you do, and can never “empty out” your IMRF account.

If you are… And your QILDRO contains… We will make payments to…
Retired Flat dollar amounts only

You: After we accept your valid QILDRO.

Your alternate payee: After we accept your valid QILDRO and we have a valid address for your alternate payee.

Retired Any percentages

You: After we accept your valid QILDRO*.

Your alternate payee: After we accept your valid QILDRO and we have received a valid, court-certified Calculation Order.

Not retired Flat dollar amounts only

You: After you apply for your benefits.

Your alternate payee: After you begin receiving your benefits and we have a valid address for your alternate payee.

Not retired Any percentages

You: After you apply for your benefits*.

Your alternate payee: After you begin receiving your benefits and we have received a valid, court-certified Calculation Order.

* If we do not have a valid Calculation Order, IMRF will review your QILDRO to see if we can begin paying you an estimated amount. If we are unable to estimate amounts based on your QILDRO, or if the benefit to be paid is a refund, we cannot pay you until we have received the valid, court-certified Calculation Order.

Lump sum death benefits
If lump sum death benefits are included in your QILDRO, this portion of the QILDRO will be implemented when death benefits are applied for and we have a valid address for your alternate payee.

Can you change your QILDRO?

If your QILDRO was accepted by IMRF but the parties later want to change the terms, you can amend your original QILDRO. Once all parties agree on the changes, you will need to complete a new, court-certified QILDRO document. You must once again include a $50.00 processing fee.

Your amended QILDRO will not replace your original until it has been deemed valid and accepted by IMRF. If you don’t submit a valid second QILDRO, we are required by law to follow the instructions in the original QILDRO we have on file.

When does a QILDRO terminate?

A variety of situations can cause a QILDRO to terminate, including: