Introduction
Dividing retirement assets during divorce can be one of the most important—and complicated—parts of the process. When one or both spouses are participants in a 401(k) like the Verizon Savings & Security Plan for New York and New England Associates, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is required to split the account legally and without triggering taxes or penalties. But a QDRO for a plan like this isn’t just a boilerplate form—it has to be customized based on the plan’s specific rules, which can include employer contributions, vesting schedules, loan balances, and Roth vs. traditional account types.
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.
Plan-Specific Details for the Verizon Savings & Security Plan for New York and New England Associates
- Plan Name: Verizon Savings & Security Plan for New York and New England Associates
- Sponsor: Verizon communications Inc.
- Plan Type: 401(k)
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Corporation
- Status: Active
- Effective Date: 1984-01-01
- Plan Year: Unknown to Unknown
- Address/Record ID: 20250625074619NAL0004576019001, 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31
- EIN: Unknown
- Plan Number: Unknown
- Participants: Unknown
- Assets: Unknown
Because the Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Plan Number are not publicly known, these must be obtained through plan statements or the plan administrator before the QDRO can be finalized. These are required identifiers for all valid QDRO filings.
Understanding QDROs in 401(k) Plans
A QDRO is a court order that gives a former spouse (called the “alternate payee”) the legal right to receive a portion of a participant’s retirement benefits. In the context of the Verizon Savings & Security Plan for New York and New England Associates, this means dividing employee contributions, vested employer contributions, and possibly the earnings on those investments after the separation date.
Employee and Employer Contribution Division
Employee Contributions
Employee contributions to the Verizon Savings & Security Plan for New York and New England Associates are fully owned by the participant and can be divided as of a specific date—typically the date of separation, divorce filing, or another legal milestone. The QDRO should clearly define the date and percentage or dollar amount awarded to the alternate payee.
Employer Contributions and Vesting
Employer contributions are subject to a vesting schedule, which may vary by years of service or other eligibility requirements. Only the vested portion of those contributions can be divided. Unvested funds are typically forfeited upon termination or divorce if not fully earned. A QDRO must take this into account and limit awards to vested funds only. This avoids confusion or rejection by the plan administrator.
Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) Assets
The Verizon Savings & Security Plan for New York and New England Associates may include both pre-tax (traditional) and post-tax (Roth) contributions. These must be handled separately in the QDRO to preserve the tax treatment of each account type. If this distinction is not made, it could result in unintended tax consequences for the alternate payee. A proper QDRO should specify the type of account being divided and apportion assets accordingly.
401(k) Loans and QDRO Implications
Many plans, including the Verizon Savings & Security Plan for New York and New England Associates, allow participants to borrow from their 401(k) accounts. If a loan exists, it reduces the account’s available balance. Importantly, the alternate payee typically cannot be held responsible for a loan taken by the participant. A well-drafted QDRO should specify whether division is based on the gross or net account value (i.e., before or after subtracting the loan). This prevents disputes and ensures fair division.
Choosing a Valuation Date
The QDRO must specify a valuation date for calculating the award. Common options include:
- Date of marital separation
- Date of QDRO approval
The choice of date can dramatically affect the outcome. Market fluctuations and ongoing contributions can cause account values to vary widely over time. We work closely with clients to determine the most appropriate and fair valuation date based on the circumstances of the divorce.
QDRO Drafting Best Practices at PeacockQDROs
There are a lot of ways QDROs go wrong—whether it’s using outdated templates, failing to reference ERISA language, or ignoring plan-specific details like vesting or loan offsets. At PeacockQDROs, we’ve seen it all and know how to avoid the dangers.
Common Mistakes
- Not specifying Roth vs. Traditional accounts
- Failing to address loan balances clearly
- Using an incorrect or vague valuation date
- Including unvested employer contributions
- Omitting earnings and investment gains/losses
See more on common QDRO mistakes here.
Why Our Full-Service Approach Matters
Most QDRO services simply draft the order and hand you back a PDF. We do more. At PeacockQDROs, we ensure your QDRO is accepted by the court and by the Verizon Savings & Security Plan for New York and New England Associates by managing each step of the process:
- Custom QDRO drafting based on document review
- Pre-approval submission to plan administrator (if available)
- Court filing and follow-up
- Final submission to the plan
- Status updates and tracking
When you hire us, you’re not left to figure it out alone. We deliver peace of mind with every step handled professionally.
Curious how long a QDRO might take? Learn the five factors that determine how long it takes.
Things to Prepare Before We Draft Your QDRO
To start the QDRO process for the Verizon Savings & Security Plan for New York and New England Associates, you’ll need several key documents and details:
- Plan statement showing total balance and account type (Roth/traditional/loan)
- Vesting schedule or breakdown of vested vs. unvested amounts
- Loan balance, if one exists
- Plan administrator name and contact
- Participant’s and alternate payee’s full legal names, addresses, and dates of birth
Once we have these, we can start on your QDRO and guide you through to final approval.
Partner with PeacockQDROs to Get It Done Right
The Verizon Savings & Security Plan for New York and New England Associates is an active 401(k) plan sponsored by Verizon communications Inc. and it comes with specific rules around contributions, vesting, and account types. A generic QDRO from a template website won’t cut it. You need tailored advice and skilled handling from start to finish—and that’s exactly what we offer at PeacockQDROs.
We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way. Divorce is complicated enough. Let us handle this part with the care and skill it deserves.
State-Specific Call to Action
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 Verizon Savings & Security Plan for New York and New England Associates, 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.