Understanding How Divorce Affects the Good Samaritan Society 401(k) Plan
Dividing a 401(k) plan during divorce can be complicated, and it’s especially important to do it right when dealing with a specific plan like the Good Samaritan Society 401(k) Plan. Whether you’re the plan participant or the spouse, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is what allows retirement assets to be divided without early withdrawal penalties or tax consequences. But not all QDROs are created equal, and every plan has its own set of rules and procedures.
At PeacockQDROs, we specialize in these kinds of cases. We’ve completed thousands of QDROs from start to finish. We don’t just draft the order and leave you holding the bag—we also handle court filing, plan submission, and follow-up.
This article will walk you through your rights and responsibilities when dividing the Good Samaritan Society 401(k) Plan, including how vesting, loans, and Roth accounts can affect the division. If you’re divorcing and this plan is involved, it’s critical to understand exactly what you’re dealing with.
Plan-Specific Details for the Good Samaritan Society 401(k) Plan
Here are the known details of the plan involved:
- Plan Name: Good Samaritan Society 401(k) Plan
- Sponsor: Unknown sponsor
- Address: 20250731155708NAL0002710787001, 2024-01-01, 2024-12-31, 2018-12-31, 4800 W 57TH STREET
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Industry: General Business
- Status: Active
- Participants, EIN, Plan Number, Assets, Plan Year: Unknown
Despite some unknowns, this is a standard 401(k) plan sponsored by a business entity in the general business industry. That means you’ll likely encounter common issues found in private-sector 401(k) plans, including employer contributions with vesting schedules, optional loan provisions, and different account types like traditional and Roth 401(k)s.
Why You Need a QDRO to Divide the Good Samaritan Society 401(k) Plan
A QDRO is a court order that tells the plan administrator how to divide the retirement benefits due to divorce. Without it, the plan can’t legally assign any portion of the participant’s 401(k) account to the non-participant spouse (also known as the “alternate payee”).
If your divorce judgment says your spouse gets a share of your 401(k), that language isn’t enough—the QDRO is a separate document that must be approved by both the court and the plan administrator. That process can take time, and mistakes along the way can result in delays—or worse, lost benefits.
Common Complications in Dividing 401(k) Assets
1. Vesting Schedules
401(k) plans often have employer contributions that are subject to vesting. In the Good Samaritan Society 401(k) Plan, any employer matching or profit-sharing may not be fully “owned” by the participant until they meet specific time-based requirements.
When writing your QDRO, it’s critical to determine:
- Which employer contributions were fully vested as of the date of your divorce
- Whether the division should include only vested amounts or all contributions
Unvested amounts can be forfeited if the participant leaves the company early, so clarity in the QDRO language is crucial.
2. Loan Balances
If the participant has taken a loan from the plan, that loan amount reduces the account balance. But should the alternate payee share in the reduction? That depends on how the divorce agreement is structured.
You’ll need to decide whether the division is based on the gross account value or the value after subtracting any outstanding loans. The QDRO must reflect that detail accurately to ensure neither party gets shortchanged.
3. Roth vs. Traditional Accounts
The Good Samaritan Society 401(k) Plan may contain both Roth and traditional 401(k) funds. These two account types have different tax treatments:
- Traditional 401(k): Pre-tax contributions; taxes owed upon distribution
- Roth 401(k): After-tax contributions; qualified distributions are tax-free
A good QDRO should divide each fund type proportionally—or specify how to handle each separately. If a QDRO incorrectly spills over a Roth source into a traditional IRA, unnecessary taxes could arise.
QDRO Drafting Tips Specific to the Good Samaritan Society 401(k) Plan
Because this plan is maintained by a business entity in the general business sector, it likely follows standard ERISA QDRO rules. That means timing, precision, and procedural accuracy are crucial. Here are a few tips:
- Request any plan-specific QDRO guidelines from the plan administrator (contact the sponsor)
- Use clear “as of” valuation dates—typically the date of separation or divorce
- Decide how to handle gains and losses from the valuation date to the date assets are transferred
- Clarify how investment options will be assigned to the alternate payee
Missteps in any of the above can cause delays or even rejection of the QDRO. At PeacockQDROs, we’re familiar with these nuances and have experience addressing them efficiently.
Required Documentation for the QDRO Process
When submitting a QDRO for the Good Samaritan Society 401(k) Plan, accuracy matters. Even though the EIN and plan number are currently unknown, that data will be needed for final QDRO submission. The more details provided in the initial draft, the faster the order moves through review and approval.
As part of our full-service QDRO work, we help track down this information for our clients to ensure everything is properly completed before submission.
The Full-Service Advantage with PeacockQDROs
Most services stop at just drafting the QDRO. We do more. At PeacockQDROs, we offer true end-to-end QDRO support. That means:
- We prepare your QDRO using language that matches the requirements of the Good Samaritan Society 401(k) Plan
- We coordinate with the plan administrator for preapproval (if applicable)
- We file it with the court for you
- We follow up to ensure funds are actually divided correctly
That’s what sets us apart from firms that just write the document and walk away. We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way.
Learn more about our QDRO services: PeacockQDROs QDRO Overview
Review common QDRO pitfalls to avoid: Common QDRO Mistakes
Find out how long this may take: QDRO Timeframe Factors
Final Thoughts
The Good Samaritan Society 401(k) Plan likely operates like many private-sector 401(k)s—meaning there are traps for the unwary if your QDRO isn’t handled properly. Vesting, Roth funds, loans, and specific plan requirements all play a role in getting it right. Let an experienced team handle the technical work so you can focus on the bigger picture of your divorce and financial future.
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 Good Samaritan Society 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.