University Divorce Specialist
University retirement, PERS pensions, real estate — Oregon'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 — $97You spent 30 years in education, healthcare, or public service. You contributed to PERS or TIAA every paycheck. Now you're expected to divide decades of retirement benefits — while you're still in emotional shock.
But do you actually understand what you're entitled to? Which portion of the pension is marital property? What's the coverture fraction for your TIAA account? How do survivor benefits factor into the division?
Your spouse may understand every benefit calculation, every QDRO requirement, every timing implication. You might be seeing these documents clearly for the first time.
One wrong QDRO decision costs the average person $15,000-$50,000. At 60+, you don't have time to recover from pension division mistakes. Every dollar divided wrong is a dollar you'll never replace.
University and public sector retirement isn't magic — it's just complicated. You need someone who can decode PERS tiers, translate TIAA statements, and show you exactly what you're entitled to under Oregon's equitable distribution law.
Q: What financial advantages does Eugene offer for 60+ divorcees?
Eugene's more affordable cost of living ($400K-$600K median homes vs. $700K+ Portland) makes retirement math easier for 60+ divorcees. University town amenities, healthcare access, and cultural opportunities without premium pricing help stretch retirement dollars. However, you still face Oregon's 9.9% income tax and must divide substantial retirement accounts from education, healthcare, or professional careers.
Q: How are University of Oregon pensions divided in divorce?
UO employees participate in Oregon PERS (public employees) or TIAA (educators), both requiring specialized division. PERS pensions worth $2K-$4K+ monthly for life are marital assets. TIAA retirement accounts have unique rules. At 60+, these pensions are your retirement security—proper QDRO language and tax planning are mandatory, not optional.
Q: Is Eugene affordable for single 60+ retirees post-divorce?
Eugene is more affordable than Portland or Bend, but costs still matter: median home $450K-$550K, property taxes $5K-$8K annually, healthcare $800-$1,200/month before Medicare. Total annual costs $35K-$50K for modest lifestyle. On retirement income alone, this is sustainable—but requires proper asset division and Social Security timing strategies.
Q: What about healthcare and aging in Eugene?
Eugene has decent healthcare access (PeaceHealth, university medical facilities) better than Bend but not Portland-level. For 60-65 year-olds before Medicare, healthcare costs $800-$1,200/month. Eugene offers aging-in-place advantages: flatter terrain, walkable neighborhoods, senior services—important considerations for 30-year retirement planning.
If you're over 50 and divorcing in Eugene, you're not dealing with custody—your children attended Eugene schools or UO and are now independent. Instead, you're dividing decades of home equity, retirement accounts from education or healthcare careers, Oregon PERS pensions, and determining whether Eugene's more affordable lifestyle still works for one person.
At 60+, Eugene's lower costs help—but math still matters. Splitting $500K in home equity and retirement accounts means each person needs to make their half last 25-30 years. Get the division wrong, time Social Security poorly, or mishandle the QDRO, and you risk financial insecurity in your 70s and 80s.
Eugene attracts professionals in education, healthcare, social services, and creative industries. Whether you worked at University of Oregon, in local healthcare systems, education, or across diverse professional sectors—gray divorce in Eugene means dividing:
No custody concerns—your children are grown. Your challenge is making each person's share of assets fund a comfortable Eugene retirement for 25-30 years.
Lower prices, still substantial equity to divide:
Many Eugene couples bought homes for $200K-$300K that are now worth $500K-$650K. That's $250K-$350K in equity—significant money. Keeping the house costs $15K-$20K+ annually in taxes, maintenance, and insurance.
At 60+, Eugene's affordability helps. But you still need to see whether your settlement income covers housing costs, healthcare, and lifestyle for 30 years—or whether downsizing or relocating makes better financial sense.
Oregon's equitable distribution applies statewide, including Eugene. Assets are divided fairly based on circumstances:
Oregon's 9.9% top income tax rate affects retirement planning. No sales tax helps with living expenses, but income tax on PERS pensions, 401(k) withdrawals, and investment income reduces net retirement dollars.
Learn more about Oregon divorce laws →
UO employees have specialized retirement situations:
Oregon PERS: Most UO classified staff and some faculty participate in PERS. Tier 1, Tier 2, OPSRP members have different benefit formulas. Long-term employees have pensions worth $2K-$4K+ monthly—$24K-$48K+ annually for life.
TIAA retirement: Many UO faculty and professional staff have TIAA 403(b) accounts instead of PERS. TIAA division follows 403(b) rules, different from 401(k)s. Annuity options, investment allocations, and payout timing all affect your retirement income.
Retiree healthcare: Some UO employees have retiree healthcare benefits—these are valuable for 60-65 year-olds before Medicare. Who gets this benefit in divorce significantly affects healthcare costs.
At 60+, UO retirement benefits are complex but valuable. Proper division requires understanding both Oregon PERS and TIAA systems—mistakes cost tens of thousands in lost benefits.
For 60+ divorcees planning 30-year retirements, Eugene offers practical advantages:
Walkable neighborhoods: Many Eugene areas are flat, bike-friendly, with services nearby—important in your 70s and 80s when driving becomes harder.
Healthcare access: PeaceHealth medical facilities, UO healthcare partnerships, Oregon Research Institute—better than small towns, more affordable than Portland.
Senior services: University town means educational opportunities, cultural events, volunteer options that keep you engaged through retirement.
Affordability: Lower housing costs than Portland or Bend mean your retirement dollars last longer—critical when you're living on fixed income for 25-30 years.
At 62 or 65, you can't rebuild retirement savings. Every decision in your Eugene divorce—whether to keep the house, how to divide PERS pension or TIAA accounts, when to claim Social Security—determines your financial security through age 90.
Before you agree to any settlement, you need to understand:
The Fearless Divorce Guide shows you the real numbers for your Eugene situation. You see whether Eugene's affordability lets you keep the house and maintain lifestyle, or whether further downsizing gives you better financial security. Make choices based on 30-year math, not short-term emotion.
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 PERS pension, TIAA benefits, and Social Security — 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 on retirement income.
The asset identification system helps you find accounts and property you might not even know exist.
22-page guide + video tutorials + checklists + templates
$97
Instant access. 100% money-back guarantee.
Get the Clarity You Need — $97Your attorney handles the law. Your therapist handles emotions. The Fearless Divorce Guide shows you exactly what you'll live on for the next 30 years.
Turn Panic Into Power — $97 Schedule a Strategy Session