Court says ex-wife gets man’s insurance money

The Supreme Court says a Virginia law can't override a federal employee's decision to make his ex-wife, not his wife, his beneficiary in a federal insurance pro...

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court says a Virginia law can’t override a federal employee’s decision to make his ex-wife, not his wife, his beneficiary in a federal insurance program.

Warren Hillman made Judy Maretta beneficiary of his Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance policy before their divorce and his re-marriage to Jacqueline Hillman. He never changed his beneficiary designation, and Maretta got the money after his death.

The second wife sued, but the Virginia Supreme Court said the first wife gets the money since her name was on the form.

Virginia law revokes a beneficiary designation in favor of the current spouse. But Maretta argued it was pre-empted by federal law saying named beneficiaries get the money.

The high court agreed in a unanimous judgment.

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)USPS, FEHB, PSHB, 2025 budget

    USPS health care program will have 32 carrier options in 2025

    Read more
    TSA, AFGE agreement

    TSA, AFGE aim to expand workforce options in new 7-year contract

    Read more
    Amelia Brust, Federal News NetworkSocial Security, SSA, worker, telework, episodic telework

    SSA adds ‘episodic’ telework flexibility for agency employees

    Read more