Introduction
Dividing retirement savings during a divorce is one of the most critical—yet often overlooked—steps in securing your financial future. And when one or both spouses are participants in the Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan, using a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, or QDRO, is the only legal way to split those assets without triggering unnecessary taxes or penalties.
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve completed thousands of QDROs for divorcing couples. We don’t stop at drafting the document—we handle everything from preapproval to court filing and final submission. If you or your ex have money in a Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan, read on to understand exactly how to divide this 401(k) properly.
Plan-Specific Details for the Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan
- Plan Name: Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan
- Sponsor: Huntington ingalls industries, Inc.
- Address: 4101 Washington Avenue
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Corporation
- Plan Type: 401(k)
- Status: Active
- Plan Number: Unknown
- EIN: Unknown
- Plan Years: 2011-03-31 to current
Even though some fields like EIN and plan number are not public here, both will be required in your QDRO for proper processing. You or your attorney can request those directly from the plan administrator when preparing your QDRO paperwork. If you work with us at PeacockQDROs, we’ll help ensure you get the correct details.
Why You Need a QDRO for the Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan
The Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan is a 401(k), which means it’s a tax-deferred retirement account subject to federal laws under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act). To legally divide this type of plan in divorce, a QDRO is required. Without it, you may owe early withdrawal penalties and taxes—and the plan simply won’t distribute funds based on a divorce agreement alone.
What the QDRO Can Do in This Plan
A QDRO for the Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan allows you to:
- Assign a portion of the participant’s 401(k) account to an alternate payee (typically the former spouse)
- Divide both traditional and Roth account balances as applicable
- Split vested employer contributions and address unvested amounts
- Handle any existing loan balances properly
401(k) Features You Must Consider
Employee and Employer Contributions
Most 401(k) plans contain both employee salary deferrals and employer matching contributions. In the Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan, all of these components can be subject to division depending on what’s considered marital property. The QDRO must clarify whether only contributions during the marriage are divided, or the entire balance regardless of contribution date.
Vesting Schedules and Forfeitures
Employer contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule, meaning the account holder earns a portion over time based on years of service. Unvested money may not be available to divide. The QDRO should specify how forfeitures will be handled, especially if vesting changes after the divorce but before the QDRO is processed.
Loan Balances
If the participant has an outstanding loan on their 401(k), the QDRO must account for it. You have a couple of options:
- Divide the account including the loan—meaning both parties share the debt
- Divide only the net balance after subtracting the loan
Whichever method you choose, spell it out clearly in the QDRO to avoid disputes with the plan administrator.
Roth vs Traditional Balances
The Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan likely includes both traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (post-tax) contributions. These accounts have different tax treatments. A common mistake is failing to separate them in the QDRO. The order must state how each type of account will be split, otherwise distributions could lead to unexpected tax consequences for the alternate payee.
Common Mistakes When Drafting a QDRO for This Plan
Not all QDROs are created equal. We regularly fix errors from generic document preparers or DIY forms. Here are the most frequent mistakes:
- Not specifying the plan name exactly as “Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan”
- Omitting Roth vs. traditional distinctions
- Ignoring loan balances, causing problems with final amounts
- Failing to detail treatment of unvested employer funds
A poorly written QDRO can delay distribution by months—or even years. Learn about more pitfalls on our dedicated QDRO mistakes page.
Timing and the QDRO Process
Getting a QDRO done quickly requires experience and persistence. The typical QDRO process for the Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan involves:
- Gathering plan information and financial account statements
- Drafting a QDRO with the correct language for the plan administrator
- Submitting the QDRO for preapproval (if the plan accepts it)
- Filing the signed order with the court
- Submitting the certified order to the plan administrator
We explain more about QDRO timelines in our article on 5 Key Timing Factors for QDRO Processing.
What Sets PeacockQDROs Apart
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve handled thousands of QDROs from beginning to end. We’re not like those firms that just give you a template and leave you to figure it out. Here’s what you get with us:
- Full-service handling: drafting, preapproval, court process, and follow-up
- Personalized communication and legal oversight
- Experience with complex account structures like the Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan
- High accuracy and near-perfect client reviews
If you’re unsure where to start, visit our QDRO page or request a consultation.
Final Tips for Dividing the Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan in Divorce
Take the time to do this the right way. Here are some final pieces of advice:
- Request the plan’s QDRO procedures from Huntington ingalls industries, Inc. early in your divorce
- Include all necessary plan information and participant details in your court order
- Specify whether the division includes or excludes loan balances and unvested contributions
- Clarify tax type splits between Roth and traditional funds
It may feel like just another piece of divorce paperwork, but your QDRO has long-term consequences. Don’t cut corners—especially on a plan like this with complex moving parts.
Work With a Trusted QDRO Partner
If your divorce was in California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, or North Dakota, and you have questions about qualified domestic relations orders or dividing retirement assets like the Huntington Ingalls Industries Savings Plan, contact PeacockQDROs. We specialize in QDROs and have successfully processed thousands of orders from start to finish.
Get the answers you need—explore our QDRO resources or reach out for personalized help if you’re in one of our service states.