Understanding QDROs and the Ball Corporation 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan
If you’re going through a divorce and either you or your spouse is a participant in the Ball Corporation 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan, you’ll likely need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to divide the retirement benefits. This article breaks down how a QDRO works specifically for this plan, what to watch out for, and how PeacockQDROs can guide you through every step of the process—from drafting to final approval and plan submission.
What Is a QDRO?
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a court order that allows retirement plan benefits to be legally divided between spouses during a divorce. Without a QDRO, the plan administrator for the Ball Corporation 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan cannot pay out any portion of one spouse’s retirement to the other, even if it’s part of the divorce judgment.
Plan-Specific Details for the Ball Corporation 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- Plan Name: Ball Corporation 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- Sponsor: Ball corporation 401(k) and employee stock ownership plan
- Address: 9200 W. 108TH CIRCLE
- Plan Period: 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31
- Effective Since: 1983-09-01
- Plan Type: 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Plan Number: Unknown (required during drafting)
- EIN: Unknown (required during submission)
- Status: Active
Because this is a 401(k) plan with an ESOP component, your QDRO may need to address more than just cash contributions. Stock shares, matching contributions, and vesting all come into play.
Key Divorce Issues When Dividing a 401(k) Plan
Dividing the Ball Corporation 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan isn’t as simple as splitting a bank account. Here are several important considerations when drafting a QDRO for a 401(k) plan:
Employee and Employer Contributions
Only contributions made during the marriage are usually subject to division. This includes both employee deferrals and employer matching or profit-sharing contributions. However, a key issue in this plan is the vesting of employer money. If the participant isn’t fully vested, some of those funds may not be available for division—or they could later be forfeited if the participant leaves Ball Corporation too soon.
Vesting and Unvested Balances
This plan likely includes a vesting schedule for employer contributions. If your QDRO awards a portion of employer contributions but those amounts are not yet vested, any forfeited funds go back to the plan—not to the alternate payee (non-employee spouse). Make sure your QDRO clarifies how to address forfeitures.
Loan Balances
401(k) loans can significantly impact the account’s present value. If the participant has an outstanding loan at the time of division, it reduces the actual balance available for distribution. There are different ways to handle this in the QDRO—either divide the full balance (including the loan) or subtract the loan before calculating shares. We help you figure out what approach makes the most sense for your situation.
Roth vs. Traditional Accounts
This plan may offer both Roth and traditional pre-tax deferrals. These two account types have very different tax treatments. Your QDRO must specify whether the distribution to the alternate payee includes Roth balances, pre-tax balances, or both. Failing to address this can result in incorrect tax reporting and a failed transfer.
Documents You’ll Need to Complete a QDRO
In order to divide the Ball Corporation 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan accurately, we’ll need some specific information. This includes:
- The plan’s official name: Ball Corporation 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- The exact name of the sponsor: Ball corporation 401(k) and employee stock ownership plan
- Plan number (required for administrator processing)
- Employer identification number (EIN) (must be included in the QDRO)
- Copy of the divorce judgment or marital settlement agreement
- Most recent account statement from the plan
If you don’t have the plan number or EIN, don’t worry—we can help obtain them as part of the QDRO drafting process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
At PeacockQDROs, we know from experience that people often make costly errors when they try to prepare QDROs themselves or use generic templates. Here are a few common mistakes:
- Failing to specify how unvested benefits are treated
- Ignoring Roth vs. pre-tax account distinctions
- Not addressing outstanding loan balances
- Leaving out required plan information like the EIN or formal plan name
- Submitting the QDRO without first obtaining plan administrator preapproval (if required)
Don’t let these oversights hold up your order or jeopardize your divorce agreement. Learn more about common QDRO mistakes.
How PeacockQDROs Handles It
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.
We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way. You deserve a firm that understands how to get this done efficiently and correctly—without taking shortcuts that cost you time and money later on.
How Long Does It Take?
The time frame for QDRO completion varies based on court scheduling and plan responsiveness, but the Ball Corporation 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan, like many general business 401(k) plans, may also have internal review protocols. We help set expectations upfront and provide full follow-through.
Check out our guide on the 5 factors that determine QDRO timelines.
Why QDROs Are Not DIY Projects
Each retirement plan is different, and the Ball Corporation 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan includes both 401(k) and stock elements. Trying to prepare a QDRO without experience can cause costly delays—or worse, a rejected order. That could mean re-filing with the court and additional legal fees. Let a professional handle it—and do it right the first time.
Need Help With Your QDRO?
If you or your spouse has retirement savings in the Ball Corporation 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan, the smartest move you can make is to get professional help. At PeacockQDROs, we understand this plan type, its administrative nuances, and how to protect your financial interest during divorce. Visit our QDRO services page for more information or contact us directly to get started.
Final Thoughts
QDROs can be complex—especially when you’re dealing with a 401(k) plan that includes stocks, employer contributions, vesting rules, Roth accounts, and loans. The Ball Corporation 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan has all these features, so it’s essential to get your QDRO done right. Don’t risk your financial future by using a generic form or a QDRO service that doesn’t provide full handling.
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 Ball Corporation 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership 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.