October Term 2008 · Docket 07-636
Can a Divorcing Spouse Waive Pension Benefits Without a Court Order?
The dispute centers on whether a spouse can legally give up pension rights during divorce without a specific court order.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Furlow argued for the sides that brought the case.
Ms. Kruger argued for the opposing sides.
Mr. Levy argued for the plan administrator.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 27-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 39-41
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of federal pension protections. The core issue is whether a spouse can waive benefits outside a formal court order.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 27-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 7, 2008.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to allow the waiver to stand.
the opposing sides want the Court to require a formal court order.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 27-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-39
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the waiver is valid under general contract principles.
the opposing sides argue federal law mandates a specific court order for waivers.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 27-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-39
What the justices asked
Justice Breyer asked why the Court should not decide the substance immediately.
Chief Justice Roberts asked how the plan administrator knows about the waiver.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 39-41
Why it matters
This case defines how spouses manage pension rights during divorce. It clarifies the legal requirements for waiving financial benefits. The outcome shapes future pension disputes nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 27-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-39
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 39-41
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 27-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 27-49 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 27-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-39
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.