For what reason can OPM cancel a (Civil Service) survivors annuity

<p>The Divorce decree has a court order that grants me the survivors annuity. 2009 when OPM canceled the annuity he was in a coma for a month. His son probably had at least a temp. POA until he recovered. It was only a few weeks ago that I found<br /> out online that he had actually passed away March 2016. Since then I have verified his death with the SSA office, obtained certified raised seal complete copies of the divorce decree/court order, and a certified copy of his death certificate. Last week I tried numerous times to reach the dept. that handles Survivors Annuities with court orders and also this past Monday and Tuesday without success. Tuesday afternoon I reached someone through the regular OPM phone tree. That’s when I found out about the cancellation. The employee sent a message over to the annuities dept requesting reopening the case along with my contact info and the reason why it needed to be reopened.<br /> Also, she agreed that I should go ahead and submit the SF2800 and all supporting documentation.<br /> I wrote a letter formally requesting that the file be reopened and included MY CSA ID number, SSN, and every means to contact me along with his SSN and pertinent information. Since there were so many pages I sealed them in a Manila envelope. Then, on the outside of the envelope I wrote Application for Survivors Annuities with Court Orders, a complete list of documents enclosed, how many pages per document, total pages enclosed, my name and his<br /> name. After that I overnighted Express Mail with signature required. It was signed for and delivered this afternoon. The employee I spoke with Tuesday said that they didn’t know why the file was pulled, reviewed and canceled. To some, my measures may seem meticulous but I still remember what it was like having to file first with the USPS and then OPM for my disability retirement about 12 years ago.<br /> And considering what has happened already with this file I can’t take any chances. Provided that they honor the court order, process and approve my claim, what happens to the money I would have gotten over the past 2 years since we were still married when he retired and elected the survivors annuity with me as the recipient? The court order was years after the fact. I have tried reading (and rereading) the Civil Service booklet but am still not clear on the matter of whether I will receive back payments. Also, who ends up being responsible for the 7 years that the annuity cost wasn’t being taken out of his retirement check? </p>

<p>Thank you. After your mention of COAP I did more research because, to be honest, I didn’t realize how deep the waters were that I’m trying to swim in&#8230;<br /> I didn’t know what COAP meant. Hadn’t heard of it until now so thank you. I found the OPM website containing the R38-116 Handbook for Attorneys on Court-Ordered Retirements, Health Benefits and Life Insurance (under CSRS, FERS..) Thankfully, after reading the applicable sections and reviewing my court order, the lawyer did his job correctly. The court order is valid. So one of 2 things happened, they received it and later canceled it or they never received it after our divorce and canceled it. I’ll just have to wait until I get a reply back from them and go from there. As for whether they continued making deductions from his check after they canceled the survivors annuity I will have to wait and see&#8230; If, after having provided them with the valid court order they choose to deny it, I will definitely follow up on your advice. Just finding out about COAP and the OPM handbook have brought me a huge relief. Thank you again for your help! </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>