The Pennsylvania Superior Court heard a wife’s appeal from an order that provided for the equitable distribution of marital property. Both spouses were retired teachers who, upon their retirement, elected a single life annuity that would allow greater monthly payments during their lifetime but would provide nothing after that spouse passed away. A divorce master submitted a qualified domestic relations order that indicated that the annuities would be split 50-50. If the husband died first, his estate would receive payments from the wife’s annuity. The wife challenged the continuation of payments should the husband predecease her. The trial court disagreed with the wife and adopted the master’s recommendations. The Superior Court noted the dearth of authority on the subject but held that the lower court did not abuse its discretion.
