Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (h) of this section, an employee or Member whose annuity entitlement commences after June 5, 1986, under any provision of subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5, United States Code (other than section 8337 of that title), may elect an alternative form of annuity instead of any other benefits under the subchapter.

An employee or Member who, at the time of retirement has a former spouse who is entitled to a portion of the employee's or Member's retirement benefits or a former spouse annuity under a court order acceptable for processing as defined by § 838.103 of this chapter or under a qualifying court order as defined in § 838.1003 of this chapter may not elect an alternative form of annuity.

An employee or Member who is married at the time of retirement may not elect an alternative form of annuity unless the employee's or Member's spouse specifically consents to the election before the date of final adjudication. OPM may waive spousal consent only under the conditions prescribed by § 831.618.

The election of an alternative form of annuity and evidence of spousal consent must be filed on a form prescribed by OPM. The form will require that a notary public or other official authorized to administer oaths certify that the current spouse presented identification, gave consent to the specific election as executed by the retiree, signed or marked the form, and acknowledged that the consent was given freely in the notary's or official's presence.

An election of the alternative form of annuity must be in writing and received by OPM on or before the date of final adjudication. After the date of final adjudication, an election of the alternative form of annuity is irrevocable.

Except as provided in paragraph (g), an annuitant who dies before the date of final adjudication is deemed to have made an affirmative election under paragraph (a) with a fully reduced annuity to provide a current spouse annuity, regardless of any election completed under § 831.614, and the lump-sum credit will be paid in accordance with the order of precedence established under 5 U.S.C. 8342(c).

If an annuitant described in paragraph (f) has completed an election under § 831.611(a) or (b)—

The lump-sum credit will be paid in accordance with the order of precedence established under 5 U.S.C. 8342(c); and

The election under § 831.611(a) or (b) will be honored.

An individual whose annuity commences after December 1, 1990, and before October 1, 1994, may elect an alternative form of annuity only if that individual is—

An employee or Member who meets the conditions and fulfills the requirements described in § 831.2207(c) (2) and (3); or

An employee who is separated involuntarily other than for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency;

An individual whose annuity commences on or after October 1, 1994, may elect an alternative form of annuity only if that individual is an employee or Member who meets the conditions and fulfills the requirements described in § 831.2207(c) (2) and (3).

For the purpose of paragraph (h)(1)(i)(B) of this section, the term “employee” does not include—

Members of Congress;

Individuals in positions in the Executive Schedule under sections 5312 through 5317 of title 5, United States Code;

Presidential appointees under section 105(a)(1), 106(a)(1), or 107 (a)(1) or (b)(1) of title 3, United States Code, if the maximum basic pay for such positions is at or above the rate for Executive Schedule, level V;

Noncareer appointees in the Senior Executive Service or noncareer members of the Senior Foreign Service; and

Any individual in a position that is excepted from the competitive service because of its confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character.

Notwithstanding paragraph (h)(1) of this section, an employee whose annuity commences after December 1, 1990, and before December 2, 1991, may elect an alternative form of annuity if that individual—

Was ordered to active military duty (other than for training) before December 1, 1990, in connection with Operation Desert Shield; or

Is an employee of the Department of Defense who is certified by the Secretary of Defense to have performed, after November 30, 1990, duties essential to support Operation Desert Shield, and the certification is submitted to OPM in a form prescribed by OPM; and

Would have been eligible, as of November 30, 1990, to elect an alternative form of annuity under paragraph (a) of this section.