5 CFR § 1653.11 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t5/s1653.11"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "5 CFR § 1653.11 - Definitions."
title_number: 5
title_name: "Administrative Personnel"
section_number: "1653.11"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RETIREMENT THRIFT INVESTMENT BOARD"
part_number: "1653"
part_name: "COURT ORDERS AND LEGAL PROCESSES AFFECTING THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN ACCOUNTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "5 U.S.C. 8432d, 8435, 8436(b), 8437(e), 8439(a)(3), 8467, 8474(b)(5) and 8474(c)(1)."
regulatory_source: "68 FR 35510, June 13, 2003, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "1653"
---


# 1653.11 Definitions.

(a) Definitions generally applicable to the Thrift Savings Plan are set forth at 5 CFR 1690.1.

(b) As used in this subpart:

*Alimony* means the payment of funds for the support and maintenance of a spouse or former spouse. Alimony includes separate maintenance, alimony *pendente lite,* maintenance, and spousal support. Alimony can also include attorney fees, interest, and court costs, but only if these items are expressly made recoverable by qualifying legal process, as described in § 1653.12.

*Child support* means payment of funds for the support and maintenance of a child or children of the participant. Child support includes payments to provide for health care, education, recreation, clothing, or to meet other specific needs of a child or children. Child support can also include attorney fees, interest, and court costs, but only if these items are expressly made recoverable by qualifying legal process, as described in § 1653.12.

*Competent authority* means a court or an administrative agency of competent jurisdiction in any State, territory or possession of the United States; a court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction in any foreign country with which the United States has entered into an agreement that requires the United States to honor the process; or an authorized official pursuant to an order of such a court or an administrative agency of competent jurisdiction pursuant to state or local law.

*Legal process* means a writ, order, summons, or other similar process in the nature of a garnishment, which is brought to enforce a participant's legal obligations to pay child support or alimony currently.

[68 FR 35510, June 13, 2003, as amended at 76 FR 78095, Dec. 16, 2011]