Understanding the Simplot Retirement Savings Plan in Divorce
If you or your spouse has participated in the Simplot Retirement Savings Plan through the J.r. simplot company, dividing that retirement account during divorce requires precision, especially when done through a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). As a 401(k) plan, this type of account brings its own set of challenges—some that can significantly impact your financial future if not handled correctly.
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve completed thousands of QDROs, not just the drafting, but also getting them preapproved, filed with the court, submitted, and finalized with the plan administrator. That full-service approach sets us apart. If you’re splitting a retirement plan like this one, we want to make sure you have the right insights to protect your interests every step of the way.
Plan-Specific Details for the Simplot Retirement Savings Plan
- Plan Name: Simplot Retirement Savings Plan
- Sponsor: J.r. simplot company
- Sponsor Address: 1099 W. FRONT STREET
- Plan Identifier: 20250702124347NAL0019821264001
- Plan Effective Dates: 2024-01-01 through 2024-12-31
- Original Start Date: 1975-09-01
- Plan Type: 401(k)
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Industry: General Business
- Status: Active
- EIN: Unknown (required for final QDRO)
- Plan Number: Unknown (required for final QDRO)
- Participants: Unknown
- Assets: Unknown
Even though some plan details aren’t publicly available, you’ll need the plan number and EIN when submitting a QDRO. These can be obtained through plan documents, a financial statement, or directly from the plan administrator.
Understanding QDROs for 401(k) Plans Like the Simplot Retirement Savings Plan
The Simplot Retirement Savings Plan is a 401(k) plan, which means it’s a defined contribution plan. Contributions may come from both employee deferrals and matching employer contributions. Understanding how these different contributions work is critical to dividing the account properly during divorce.
Employee vs. Employer Contributions
QDROs can divide all or part of the account balance, including:
- Employee contributions: These are fully vested immediately and can be transferred to the alternate payee.
- Employer contributions: These may be subject to a vesting schedule. Only the vested portion can be awarded in a QDRO.
If there are unvested employer contributions at the time of the divorce, they are not available for division. It’s crucial that your QDRO attorney checks the participant’s vesting report at the exact date of marital separation or division cut-off before determining the correct share.
Vesting Schedules and Forfeitures
J.r. simplot company may implement a graded or cliff vesting schedule for its matching contributions. If the employee has not yet met the required years of service, any unvested balance is forfeited and cannot be allocated via QDRO. This is a key area where mistakes can happen—especially when non-QDRO-specific attorneys aren’t familiar with withdrawal restrictions or forfeiture mechanics.
Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) Accounts
The Simplot Retirement Savings Plan may include both pre-tax (traditional) and after-tax (Roth) contributions. It’s important to address these separately in QDRO language:
- Traditional 401(k): Taxes will be owed when funds are withdrawn.
- Roth 401(k): Withdrawals may be tax-free if held long enough and under certain conditions.
If the alternate payee receives a percentage of the total account without identifying contribution types, tax consequences can become problematic. Your QDRO should clearly state whether the split applies proportionally to all contribution types or only to a specific source.
Loan Balances and QDROs
If the participant has an outstanding loan under the Simplot Retirement Savings Plan, that loan amount cannot be assigned to the alternate payee—only the value remaining after subtracting the loan can be divided. Some QDROs are worded to include or exclude loan balances, but it’s vital to be clear. For example:
- “The alternate payee shall be awarded 50% of the participant’s vested account balance excluding any outstanding loan balance as of [date].”
Also, loan repayments continue to reduce the participant’s future balance, which may affect long-term valuation, especially if the account is being divided based on a percentage rather than a flat dollar amount.
QDRO Best Practices for the Simplot Retirement Savings Plan
Clarity and Specificity
Your QDRO must be crystal clear about critical financial terms like valuation date, account types, calculation methods, division percentages, and how earnings or losses should be handled post-division. Vague QDROs commonly get rejected by plan administrators, delaying payouts or requiring costly rewrites.
Choose the Right Valuation Date
Use a valuation date that reflects the end of marital property accumulation—often the date of separation, divorce filing, or judgment. This date impacts the dollar value and how gains or losses are calculated up to distribution.
Avoid Common Mistakes
QDRO errors can cost years in delays and thousands of dollars in missed benefits. For instance, forgetting to include Roth designations, attempting to divide unvested funds, or failing to address what happens if the participant dies before the order is finalized. For more on this, see our common QDRO mistakes guide.
Working with an Experienced QDRO Firm
Don’t leave your retirement to chance. At PeacockQDROs, we don’t just send you the document and wave goodbye. We support you through the whole process—from analyzing plan documents and preparing court-ready language to getting court approval and making sure the plan administrator accepts and implements the QDRO. That’s how we’ve maintained near-perfect reviews in this highly specialized field.
Timeline Considerations for Dividing 401(k) Plans
How long will it take to finalize your QDRO with the Simplot Retirement Savings Plan? That depends on several factors:
- How quickly you can get required plan details
- Whether pre-approval is required by the plan administrator
- How soon the court signs off on the QDRO
- How responsive the plan is in implementing the order
For an overview of time estimates and tips, see this article on QDRO timing.
Get the Right Help for Your QDRO
Dividing retirement plans like the Simplot Retirement Savings Plan takes careful legal and financial planning. Choosing the right valuation date, factoring in loans, separating Roth components, and accounting for vesting rules can make or break your outcome. Don’t trust a generic legal document service or template to protect your financial security.
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 Simplot Retirement 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.