Washington § 41.50.500 - Mandatory assignment of retirement benefits — Definitions. (Effective until June 30, 2029.)

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 41.50.500 — Mandatory assignment of retirement benefits — Definitions. (Effective until June 30, 2029.), with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 41.50.500. Mandatory assignment of retirement benefits — Definitions. (Effective until June 30, 2029.)

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 41.50.500 through 41.50.650, 41.50.670 through 41.50.720, and 26.09.138.
(1) "Benefits" means periodic retirement payments or a withdrawal of accumulated contributions.
(2) "Disposable benefits" means that part of the benefits of an individual remaining after the deduction from those benefits of any amount required by law to be withheld. The term "required by law to be withheld" does not include any deduction elective to the member.
(3) "Dissolution order" means any judgment, decree, or order of spousal maintenance, property division, or court-approved property settlement incident to a decree of divorce, dissolution, invalidity, or legal separation issued by the superior court of the state of Washington or a judgment, decree, or other order of spousal support issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in another state or country, that has been registered or otherwise made enforceable in this state.
(4) "Mandatory benefits assignment order" means an order issued to the department of retirement systems pursuant to RCW 41.50.570 to withhold and deliver benefits payable to an obligor under chapter 2.10, 2.12, 41.26, 41.32, 41.40, 41.35, 41.37, or 43.43 RCW.
(5) "Obligee" means an ex spouse or spouse to whom a duty of spousal maintenance or property division obligation is owed.
(6) "Obligor" means the spouse or ex spouse owing a duty of spousal maintenance or a property division obligation.
(7) "Periodic retirement payments" means periodic payments of retirement allowances, including but not limited to service retirement allowances, disability retirement allowances, and survivors' allowances. The term does not include a withdrawal of accumulated contributions.
(8) "Property division obligation" means any outstanding court-ordered property division or court-approved property settlement obligation incident to a decree of divorce, dissolution, or legal separation.
(9) "Standard allowance" means a benefit payment option selected under RCW 2.10.146(1)(a), 41.26.460(1)(a), 41.32.785(1)(a), 41.40.188(1)(a), 41.40.660(1), 41.40.845(1)(a), 41.37.170, or 41.35.220 that ceases upon the death of the retiree. Standard allowance also means the benefit allowance provided under RCW 2.10.110, 2.10.130, 43.43.260, 41.26.100, 41.26.130(1)(a), or chapter 2.12 RCW. Standard allowance also means the maximum retirement allowance available under RCW 41.32.530(1) following member withdrawal of accumulated contributions, if any.
(10) "Withdrawal of accumulated contributions" means a lump sum payment to a retirement system member of all or a part of the member's accumulated contributions, including accrued interest, at the request of the member including any lump sum amount paid upon the death of the member.
[ 2004 c 242 s 50; 2000 c 247 s 603; 1998 c 341 s 512; 1991 c 365 s 1; 1987 c 326 s 1.]

Notes

Effective date—2004 c 242: See RCW 41.37.901.
Effective dates—Subchapter headings not law—2000 c 247: See RCW 41.40.931 and 41.40.932.
Effective date—1998 c 341: See RCW 41.35.901.
Severability—1991 c 365: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1991 c 365 s 37.]
PDF

RCW 41.50.500

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 41.50.500

What does Revised Code of Washington § 41.50.500 cover?

Section 41.50.500 ("Mandatory assignment of retirement benefits — Definitions. (Effective until June 30, 2029.)") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Washington § 41.50.500?

A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 41.50.500" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Washington official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Washington attorney.

How does Washington § 41.50.500 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Washington can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Washington.