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<p>Your SamCERA account and your SamCERA benefits are subject to California community property law, so if you had a divorce while you were an active, inactive or retired member of SamCERA, or you are planning to file a dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, you must contact SamCERA regarding the division of your retirement benefits.&nbsp;</p>



<p>SamCERA has created the <a href="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DivorceandYourBenefits_20250624.pdf" data-type="attachment" data-id="38477" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Divorce and Your Benefits guide</a> to help all members and their spouses or domestic partners navigate the divorce and dissolution process.</p>



<p>SamCERA has also created model orders for splitting the community share of your SamCERA account and benefits. The&nbsp;Divorce and Your Benefits&nbsp;guide&nbsp;will help you understand how to use the <a href="https://content.samcera.gov/forms-resources/forms/">model orders found on our Forms page</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>SamCERA recommends that all parties involved seek legal counsel.</em></p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Divorce and Your Benefits Guide</h2>



<p>Learn how divorce or legal separation can affect your SamCERA benefits.</p>



<div class="wp-block-advgb-button alignnone"><a class="wp-block-advgb-button_link advgbbtn-fa20cda6-9533-4459-8023-5177cc47c98b" href="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DivorceandYourBenefits_20250624.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span>Read the Divorce and Your Benefits Guide</span></a></div>
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Divorce or Legal Separation

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Divorce or Legal Separation