Retirement Equity Act of 1983

Retirement Equity Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from 25 to 21. Allows a limited amount of maternity or paternity leave to be taken by an individual without being treated as a break in service for purposes of computing creditable service towards retirement benefits.

Requires spousal consent in order for a retirement plan participant to elect not to take a joint and survivor annuity. Requires that such consent must be in writing and must be witnessed by either a plan representative or a notary public.

Allows the assignment of the benefits of a qualified retirement plan in the case of a judgment, decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State's domestic relations law. Requires the continuation of benefits to a surviving former spouse in cases where payments of joint and survivor benefits began prior to a divorce. Sets forth requirements relating to the method of distribution of divorce distributions. Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of divorce distributions.

Increases the allowable mandatory distributions from a retirement plan from $1,750 to $3,500.

Requires that a plan participant must be notified that benefits may be forfeitable if the participant dies before a certain date.