Understanding QDROs and Divorce
When a marriage ends, dividing retirement accounts like 401(k) plans is often one of the most complicated parts of the process. If you or your spouse has retirement savings in a plan like The Adecco Group 401(k) Plan, you’ll need something called a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to divide those assets legally and without unintended tax consequences.
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 breaks down what you need to know about dividing The Adecco Group 401(k) Plan in a divorce and how a QDRO can protect your share—or ensure fairness if you’re the plan participant.
Plan-Specific Details for the The Adecco Group 401(k) Plan
- Plan Name: The Adecco Group 401(k) Plan
- Sponsor: Adecco, Inc.
- Address: 4800 Deerwood Campus Parkway
- Plan Type: 401(k) Plan
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Corporation
- Status: Active
- Effective Date: 1999-01-01 (Plan has been in effect since at least this date)
- Plan Year: 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31
- Plan Identifier from Source: 20250821114301NAL0007313968001
- EIN: Unknown
- Plan Number: Unknown
Why You Need a QDRO for the The Adecco Group 401(k) Plan
A QDRO is a court order that allows retirement benefits to be legally assigned to an ex-spouse (called the “alternate payee”) without triggering early withdrawal penalties or taxes—provided it’s done correctly. For The Adecco Group 401(k) Plan, the plan administrator—guided by federal ERISA rules—requires a valid QDRO before any division can happen.
What the QDRO Must Include
Each QDRO must meet specific criteria, including:
- Exact name of the plan: “The Adecco Group 401(k) Plan”
- Names and last known addresses of the participant and alternate payee
- Percentage or amount to be assigned to the alternate payee
- The method of distribution (e.g., rollover into an IRA or distribution by check)
- Whether the alternate payee is eligible for gains/losses from the assignment date
Missing or unclear items can cause delays—or outright rejection. That’s why working with a QDRO specialist like PeacockQDROs is critical.
Employee Contributions vs. Employer Contributions
The Adecco Group 401(k) Plan likely includes both employee salary deferrals and employer matching or discretionary contributions. These are treated differently under a QDRO.
Employee Contributions
These are always 100% vested and subject to division in a divorce. If your spouse contributed to their 401(k) during the marriage, the portion earned during that time is typically considered community or marital property, depending on your state.
Employer Contributions
These are sometimes subject to a vesting schedule. If the participant hasn’t met the service requirements for full vesting, a portion of the employer contributions may be forfeitable. A good QDRO clarifies whether the alternate payee’s share should account only for vested balances or specify how forfeitures will be handled if the participant terminates employment before full vesting.
Loan Balances and QDROs
401(k) loans present unique challenges. If the participant has an outstanding loan, the plan balance is reduced, which impacts how much remains for division. There are a few options:
- Share loan offset: Reduce each party’s share proportionally.
- Exclude loans: Exclude the loan balance from division and split only the net value.
- Make adjustments: Require that the participant repay the loan before division.
A properly drafted QDRO will clearly address the treatment of loans, or the plan administrator may delay distribution.
Roth vs. Traditional Accounts
The Adecco Group 401(k) Plan may include both traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (after-tax) contributions. These need to be handled carefully in a QDRO to avoid tax surprises.
- Pre-Tax (Traditional): Ordinary taxes apply upon distribution, unless rolled over into another qualified plan or IRA.
- Roth Accounts: Typically distributed tax-free, but only if IRS holding rules are met.
The QDRO should specify how to divide each account type. If left vague, the administrator may default to a pro-rata distribution which may not be what either party intended.
Vesting Schedules and Distribution Timing
For employer contributions under vesting schedules, a QDRO can be structured to wait until more of the account becomes vested before payout. This is especially helpful if the employer provides valuable matching dollars but they’re not yet fully earned.
For example, a plan participant who is 60% vested might reach 100% after another two years of employment. A QDRO can direct the administrator to hold the alternate payee’s share until that date to capture the full amount.
What Divorcing Couples Should Watch For
Dividing The Adecco Group 401(k) Plan isn’t as simple as splitting a bank account. Here are common pitfalls:
- Using vague language: “Half the account” isn’t good enough—be precise.
- Ignoring plan rules: Each plan has unique distribution options and procedures.
- Overlooking taxes and account types: Traditional and Roth assets are taxed differently.
- Forgetting to consider gains/losses: Omitting this can significantly overpay or underpay one spouse.
If you want to see examples of these mistakes and how to avoid them, check out our Common QDRO Mistakes resource page.
How Long Does It Take?
Each QDRO follows a specific timeline—especially for larger corporate retirement plans like The Adecco Group 401(k) Plan. Check out our article on the 5 factors that determine how long it takes to get a QDRO done to better understand what impacts processing time.
How PeacockQDROs Can Help
Our team knows plans like The Adecco Group 401(k) Plan inside and out. We don’t take shortcuts or leave you to figure out court filing or plan submission alone. We handle the entire QDRO process—from understanding plan language and drafting to court approval and administrator follow-up.
We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way. Don’t leave your share of a retirement benefit to chance.
If you’re dividing a 401(k) like The Adecco Group 401(k) Plan, get peace of mind by working with professionals. Here’s how our QDRO process works.
Next Steps
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 The Adecco Group 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.