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Divorce and the Samaritan’s Purse 401(k) Retirement Plan: Understanding Your QDRO Options

Introduction

If you or your spouse participated in the Samaritan’s Purse 401(k) Retirement Plan during your marriage, dividing that retirement asset in a divorce will require a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). A QDRO legally authorizes the retirement plan administrator to pay a portion of a participant’s 401(k) to their former spouse (the “alternate payee”) pursuant to a divorce decree or separation agreement.

At PeacockQDROs, we’ve completed many QDROs from start to finish. That means we don’t just draft the order and leave you to figure out the rest. We handle the drafting, preapproval (if applicable), court filing, submission, and follow-up with the plan administrator. That’s what sets us apart from firms that only prepare the document and hand it off to you.

This article focuses on how to divide the Samaritan’s Purse 401(k) Retirement Plan in divorce and outlines the key considerations to be aware of when dealing with this specific 401(k) plan through a QDRO.

Plan-Specific Details for the Samaritan’s Purse 401(k) Retirement Plan

  • Plan Name: Samaritan’s Purse 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Sponsor: Unknown sponsor
  • Address: 801 BAMBOO RD
  • Plan Dates: 2024-01-01 through 2024-12-31
  • Plan Established: 1985-01-01
  • Organization Type: Business Entity
  • Industry: General Business
  • EIN: Unknown
  • Plan Number: Unknown
  • Status: Active

Although details such as EIN, participant counts, or plan number are not readily available for this plan, you will need that information when submitting your QDRO. We can help obtain it if not immediately available in your case documents.

QDRO Basics for a 401(k) Plan Like This One

What Makes a 401(k) QDRO Different?

The Samaritan’s Purse 401(k) Retirement Plan is a defined contribution plan. This means that the account balance is based on both employee and employer contributions, any investment gains or losses, and administrative fees. Unlike a traditional pension, the participant’s final benefit is not set—it depends on contributions and how the account performs.

Dividing a 401(k) through a QDRO involves transferring all or part of the account to the alternate payee—usually the former spouse. The QDRO must be accepted by the plan administrator before any payments can be made.

Key Issues to Address in Your QDRO for the Samaritan’s Purse 401(k) Retirement Plan

1. Dividing Employee and Employer Contributions

Complications can arise around whether to divide just the employee contributions or to include employer match amounts as well. Because the Samaritan’s Purse 401(k) Retirement Plan is offered by a General Business entity, it is not uncommon for the plan to include generous employer matches and profit-sharing contributions. If those employer-funded amounts are not yet vested, they may be excluded from the division—unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

2. Vesting Schedules and Forfeitures

Employer contributions in a 401(k) plan like this one often follow a vesting schedule. Unvested amounts can be forfeited when employment ends. If you’re the alternate payee, be cautious about assuming you’ll receive a share of these contributions unless they are already vested. In the QDRO, it’s essential to clarify whether the award is limited to vested balances as of the date of division or if it includes later vesting. We work with clients to word this clearly and accurately.

3. Handling Existing Loans

If the participant took out a loan from the Samaritan’s Purse 401(k) Retirement Plan, that loan won’t be distributed to the alternate payee. Instead, it usually reduces the account balance used to calculate the QDRO award. Whether your QDRO should account for the loan or subtract it from the marital portion is a strategic decision. In some cases, one party may take on the full effect of the loan. We walk you through those options.

4. Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) Balances

This plan may include both Roth and traditional 401(k) “sources.” These sources are taxed differently: Roth accounts are funded with after-tax dollars, while traditional accounts are pre-tax. If the QDRO divides the account proportionally across all sources, care must be taken to label them properly. Otherwise, confusion at distribution time could result in unexpected tax outcomes for the alternate payee. Your QDRO should identify these sources clearly and can assign them in proportion or separately, depending on your needs.

QDRO Timing and Process Considerations

Choosing the Valuation Date

When valuing the portion to be transferred, you’ll need to decide on a date: typically the date of separation, petition, or divorce judgment. This “valuation date” must be stated in the QDRO so the plan administrator knows how to calculate the alternate payee’s share, including investment gains or losses from that date until payment.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

We’ve seen it all when it comes to QDRO-related errors. Missed vesting schedules, failure to address Roth balances, or unclear treatment of loans are common. Visit our article oncommon QDRO mistakes to learn more and avoid costly delays.

Factors That Affect QDRO Processing Time

The timeline for completing a QDRO depends on many variables: the plan’s review policies, court filing procedures, and how quickly both parties act. We walk clients through key timeline issues in our resource on5 factors that affect how long it takes to get a QDRO done.

Why Work with PeacockQDROs?

Unlike companies or attorneys who only draft the QDRO form, PeacockQDROs handles your order from start to finish. That includes:

  • Drafting the QDRO with plan-specific language
  • Preapproval from the Samaritan’s Purse 401(k) Retirement Plan administrator (if applicable)
  • Court filing and certified copies
  • Submitting to the plan administrator
  • Ensuring the order is implemented correctly

We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way. Learn more about our work and services at ourqualified domestic relations order page.

Final Tips for a Clean Division

  • Get the plan’s Summary Plan Description (SPD) to confirm features like loans, Roth options, and vesting
  • Agree on how to handle gains and losses after the division date
  • Clarify whether pre-tax and after-tax accounts should be handled differently
  • Call us early—waiting to file your QDRO can delay or jeopardize your share of the Samaritan’s Purse 401(k) Retirement Plan

Conclusion

Dividing the Samaritan’s Purse 401(k) Retirement Plan through a QDRO requires careful attention to the unique features of the plan, including employer match vesting, potential loan balances, and Roth account sources. With PeacockQDROs, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

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 Samaritan’s Purse 401(k) Retirement Plan, contact PeacockQDROs. We focus on QDROs and have successfully processed many orders from start to finish.

Get the answers you need—explore ourQDRO resources orreach out for personalized help if you’re in one of our service states.

William Willie Peacock, Esq.
Your Attorney
William “Willie” Peacock, Esq.
QDRO & Retirement Division Attorney

Willie has handled hundreds of QDROs, been named as a stipulated or court-appointed expert in hundreds of orders, testified as an expert witness on QDROs and state government pension survivor benefits, and taught CLEs on QDROs, legal ethics, and military pensions. He is a three-time ABA award-winning legal author and secured a victory before the North Dakota Supreme Court. Full bio →

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