Senate committee substitute to the 3rd edition makes the following changes.

Amends GS 135-9(a), applicable to the Retirement System for Teachers and State Employees, and GS 128-31(a), applicable to the Retirement System for Counties, Cities and Towns by adding that the Retirement System must only make payment of a share of the member's retirement benefits to the member's former spouse and on a domestic relations order, and the former spouse is not permitted to receive a share of the member's retirement benefits until the member begins to receive the benefits, consistent with the system-designated template order. Provides that the former spouse is not entitled to any form of benefit or any option not otherwise available to the member. Makes additional clarifying changes.