Rice v. Rice

OPINION

COMPTON, Justice.

This appeal is from a divorce decree. Jim D. Rice and Diana Lee Rice were married in 1976. Prior to and throughout the marriage, Jim was employed by the City of Fairbanks Fire Department. One of his employment benefits includes enrollment in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).

The trial court treated the retirement fund as a marital asset, divided it in half as of the date of divorce and entered a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to pay one-half of the retirement benefits to Diana when Jim either resigns, is terminated or becomes deceased. Jim…