Tech & University Specialist
University retirement, tech compensation, real estate — Colorado's equitable distribution requires expertise. This guide shows you exactly what you're entitled to.
Leanne Ozaine, CDFA® & CFP® | Specializing in gray divorce for 50+
Turn Panic Into Power — $97CSU TIAA-CREF accounts. PERA pensions. Tech company RSUs. Deferred compensation. You've heard these terms for years. You know they're valuable.
But do you actually understand what they are? Which portions vested during marriage? What's legally marital property under Colorado's equitable distribution? How are they taxed when divided?
Your spouse has lived with these benefits for 20+ years. They understand vesting schedules, QDRO requirements, and tax implications.
You're seeing these documents for the first time — while negotiating a settlement that could be worth $500K-$1M+.
University benefits and tech compensation aren't magic. They're complicated — but complicated has solutions. You need someone who can decode the retirement statements, translate the vesting schedules, and show you exactly what's yours under Colorado equitable distribution law.
The difference between understanding these benefits and not? It can easily be $200,000-$400,000 in your final settlement.
Q: Can I afford Fort Collins after divorce at 60+?
Yes—Fort Collins is much more affordable than Denver/Boulder. Homes run $500K-$600K vs. Boulder $800K-$1M+ or Denver $600K-$700K+. Annual costs: property taxes ($5K-$6K), insurance ($2K), utilities ($3K-$4K), maintenance ($5K) = $30K-$40K/year. At 60+ on retirement income ($50K-$70K), solo Fort Collins living is sustainable for many. Colorado has no Social Security tax, preserving retirement dollars.
Q: How are Colorado State University retirement benefits divided?
CSU faculty and staff have TIAA-CREF (educators) or Colorado PERA (Public Employees' Retirement Association). Both are marital property requiring division of amounts accumulated during marriage under Colorado equitable distribution. At 60+, decades of CSU employment create substantial retirement accounts ($300K-$800K+). Proper QDRO execution is critical—mistakes cost tens of thousands in taxes and penalties.
Q: Is Fort Collins a good retirement location after divorce?
Fort Collins ranks among America's best retirement cities: outdoor recreation (hiking, biking, 300+ days of sunshine), healthcare access (UC Health, Poudre Valley Hospital), affordable cost of living, brewery culture, CSU cultural events. At 60+, Fort Collins provides excellent quality of life at 40-50% lower cost than Boulder. Many Denver/Boulder divorcees relocate to Fort Collins for retirement affordability while staying in Colorado.
Q: What's the outdoor recreation lifestyle worth financially in divorce?
Fort Collins offers world-class outdoor recreation—mountain access, trail running, cycling—at minimal cost compared to resort towns. Vail/Aspen require $2M-$10M+ assets for retirement; Fort Collins provides similar lifestyle quality for $500K-$1M total assets. At 60+, this affordability matters enormously. Can you sustain Vail's $100K-$200K+ annual costs on retirement income, or does Fort Collins provide better lifestyle value at $40K-$50K annually?
If you're over 50 and facing divorce in Fort Collins, custody battles aren't your concern—your children are grown. Instead, you're dividing Fort Collins real estate, retirement accounts, and assets under Colorado's equitable distribution in one of the state's most livable and affordable cities.
Fort Collins offers outdoor recreation, breweries, and much lower cost than Denver/Boulder.
Fort Collins is much more affordable:
CSU employees have university benefits:
Can you afford Fort Collins solo? Fort Collins is much more affordable than Denver/Boulder. Many 50+ clients can keep their home on one income.
The 5-step system that shows you what you'll actually live on, so you stop guessing and start knowing.
Calculate your real post-divorce income — including spousal support, assets, and earning potential — so you negotiate from facts, not fear.
Document gathering checklists tell you exactly what to bring to your attorney — so you walk in prepared, not panicked.
Map out your real expenses as a single person — before you fight for something you can't actually maintain.
The asset identification system helps you find accounts and property you might not even know exist.
22-page guide + video tutorials + checklists + templates
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