Understanding How Divorce Affects the Alight Solutions LLC 401(k) Plan (fka Hewitt Associates LLC 401(k) Plan)
Going through a divorce is hard enough without having to figure out how to split retirement accounts like a 401(k). If you or your spouse participated in the Alight Solutions LLC 401(k) Plan (fka Hewitt Associates LLC 401(k) Plan), you’ll need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order—or QDRO—to divide the savings properly and legally.
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve completed thousands of 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 outlines what divorcing spouses need to know when dividing the Alight Solutions LLC 401(k) Plan (fka Hewitt Associates LLC 401(k) Plan), what plan-specific complications exist, and how to avoid common mistakes when drafting your QDRO.
Plan-Specific Details for the Alight Solutions LLC 401(k) Plan (fka Hewitt Associates LLC 401(k) Plan)
Before drafting your QDRO, it’s critical to understand the relevant details of the plan. Here’s what we know about the Alight Solutions LLC 401(k) Plan (fka Hewitt Associates LLC 401(k) Plan):
- Plan Name: Alight Solutions LLC 401(k) Plan (fka Hewitt Associates LLC 401(k) Plan)
- Sponsor: Alight solutions LLC 401(k) plan (fka hewitt associates LLC 401k plan)
- Address: 320 South Canal Street, 50th Floor
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Industry: General Business
- EIN: Unknown—must be obtained from plan documents
- Plan Number: Unknown—must be confirmed before submission
- Status: Active
- Effective Date: May 1, 2017
- Plan Year: 2024-01-01 through 2024-12-31
- Participants and Asset Value: Unknown—must be confirmed through account statements
You’ll need the plan number and EIN when finalizing and filing your QDRO. If you don’t have them, request the Summary Plan Description (SPD) or contact the plan administrator directly.
What Is a QDRO and Why Do You Need It?
A QDRO is a court order that allows the division of qualified retirement plans—like a 401(k)—without triggering early withdrawal penalties or tax consequences. For the Alight Solutions LLC 401(k) Plan (fka Hewitt Associates LLC 401(k) Plan), a QDRO authorizes the transfer of a portion of the account to the non-employee spouse, called the “Alternate Payee.”
A divorce decree alone isn’t enough. Without a QDRO, the plan won’t recognize the Alternate Payee’s rights to the retirement funds. Don’t risk it—get the order done properly the first time.
Key QDRO Considerations for the Alight Solutions LLC 401(k) Plan (fka Hewitt Associates LLC 401(k) Plan)
1. Employee and Employer Contributions
In 401(k) plans like this one, balances may consist of both employee deferrals (what the participant contributes) and employer contributions (matches, bonuses, etc.). In most cases, both are divisible through the QDRO. However, the employer contributions might be subject to vesting.
2. Understanding Vesting Schedules
Employer contributions in the Alight Solutions LLC 401(k) Plan (fka Hewitt Associates LLC 401(k) Plan) may not be fully vested at the time of divorce. If a participant leaves the company before reaching full vesting, the unvested portion may be forfeited. That matters because the QDRO can’t divide money that doesn’t belong to the participant. The QDRO can—and often should—include language stating how unvested funds will be handled if they become vested post-divorce.
3. Loan Balances
If the participant has taken a loan from the 401(k), the QDRO needs to specify whether the loan balance is included or excluded from the divisible account value. Usually, loan balances are subtracted from the account’s gross value before division, but the details can be negotiated during the divorce. If you don’t address it, the plan will assume a default policy—often to exclude it.
4. Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) Accounts
Some employees have both traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (post-tax) balances in a 401(k). Your QDRO should be specific about how each type is to be divided. If the order doesn’t clearly allocate Roth vs. traditional funds, it can delay processing—or worse, result in an uneven tax burden down the line.
Common QDRO Mistakes in Dividing This Plan
Mistakes in QDROs can cost time and money. Here are the most frequent issues we see with this specific retirement plan:
- Failing to clarify account type: Not specifying Roth vs. traditional balances causes confusion and delays.
- Ignoring loan balances: Leaving this out can result in the Alternate Payee getting less than expected.
- No treatment of vesting: If future vesting isn’t addressed, the Alternate Payee might lose out on expected funds.
- Using incorrect plan name or sponsor: The plan will reject QDROs with naming errors. Always use “Alight Solutions LLC 401(k) Plan (fka Hewitt Associates LLC 401(k) Plan)” and “Alight solutions LLC 401(k) plan (fka hewitt associates LLC 401k plan)” exactly as shown.
We’ve compiled a list of common QDRO errors we see—avoid these to prevent delays.
How PeacockQDROs Handles QDROs the Right Way
At PeacockQDROs, we go further than just drafting your order. First, we confirm the plan accepts QDROs for the divorce judgment in question. Then, we make sure we have the correct plan number, EIN, and address—and that it matches the current format used by the Alight Solutions LLC 401(k) Plan (fka Hewitt Associates LLC 401(k) Plan). Next, we draft the QDRO language to match the division agreement and submit it for preapproval if permitted. Finally, we handle the court filing and follow up to make sure it’s accepted and implemented.
We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way. Learn more about our QDRO services.
How Long Will It Take to Get a QDRO for This Plan?
The process can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months, depending on the complexity of the file and the responsiveness of the court and plan administrator. See our guide on the 5 factors that affect QDRO processing time.
Final Tips for Dividing the Alight Solutions LLC 401(k) Plan (fka Hewitt Associates LLC 401(k) Plan)
- Use the correct plan name and sponsor in all legal documents.
- Include exact wording for dividing Roth and traditional balances separately.
- Account for any outstanding loans and unvested employer contributions.
- Specify whether gains and losses apply from the date of division to the date of distribution.
- Don’t rely on cookie-cutter QDRO templates—for this plan, details matter.
Need Help with This QDRO?
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 Alight Solutions LLC 401(k) Plan (fka Hewitt Associates LLC 401(k) 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.