VIII. Divorce

To the extent required under any final judgment, decree, or order (including approval of a property settlement agreement), referred to as the “Order,” that (i) relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights; (ii) is made in compliance with Code Section 414(p); and (iii) is made pursuant to a state domestic relations law, any portion of a Participant’s benefits may be paid to a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of the Participant (the “Alternate Payee”).  A separate account shall be established with respect to the Alternate Payee, in the same manner as the Participant, and any amount so set aside for an Alternate Payee shall be paid out within ninety (90) days of the date of the Order.  Any payment made to an Alternate Payee pursuant to this paragraph shall be reduced by required income tax withholding.

The Plan’s liability to pay benefits to a Participant shall be reduced to the extent that amounts have been paid or set aside for payment to an Alternate Payee pursuant to an Order.  No such transfer shall be effectuated unless the University as the former Employer (plan sponsor) has been provided with such an Order.
 
The University, or its agents and representatives, shall not be obligated to defend against or set aside any Order, or any legal order relating to the garnishment of a Participant’s benefits, unless the full expense of such legal action is borne by the Participant.  In the event that the Participant’s action (or inaction) nonetheless causes the University as former Employer to incur such expense, the amount of the expense may be charged against the Participant’s benefit amount and thereby reduce the University’s obligation to pay benefits to the Participant.  In the course of any proceeding relating to divorce, separation, or child support, the University shall be authorized to disclose information relating to the Participant’s benefits to the Alternate Payee (including the legal representatives of the Alternate Payee) or to a court.