(a)

(1) Refunds of employee contributions are subject to court orders acceptable for processing only if all of the conditions necessary for payment of the refund of employee contributions to the separated employee have been met, including, but not limited to—

(i) Separation from a covered position in the Federal service;

(ii) Application for payment of the refund of employee contributions by the separated employee; and

(iii) Immediate entitlement to a refund of employee contributions.

(2) Money held by an employing agency or OPM that may be payable at some future date is not available for payment under court orders directed at refunds of employee contributions.

(b) Payment under a court order may not exceed the amount of the refund of employee contributions.