Dividing the Degreed, Inc.. 401(k) Plan in Divorce
Dividing retirement accounts during a divorce is one of the most important and often complicated parts of the property division process. If you or your spouse participate in the Degreed, Inc.. 401(k) Plan, understanding your rights and how to properly divide this plan is critical. That’s where a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, or QDRO, comes in.
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.
What Is a QDRO and Why Is It Necessary?
A QDRO is a legal order signed by a judge that instructs a retirement plan to divide a participant’s benefits. Without a QDRO, the plan administrator will not release any portion of a retirement account to the non-employee spouse—even if a divorce decree says they should receive a share.
The QDRO must meet specific requirements under federal law and match the rules of the particular retirement plan being divided—in this case, the Degreed, Inc.. 401(k) Plan.
Plan-Specific Details for the Degreed, Inc.. 401(k) Plan
- Plan Name: Degreed, Inc.. 401(k) Plan
- Sponsor Name: Degreed, Inc.. 401(k) plan
- Address: 4305 HACIENDA DRIVE
- Organization Type: Corporation
- Industry: General Business
- Status: Active
- EIN: Unknown (must be requested during QDRO process)
- Plan Number: Unknown (must be requested during QDRO process)
- Effective Date: 2016-06-01
- Plan Year: 2021-01-01 to 2021-12-31
The above details are necessary when preparing and submitting a proper QDRO. If either the EIN or Plan Number is missing (as is the case here), we work with the plan administrator to obtain that information as part of our full-service support.
Key Considerations When Dividing the Degreed, Inc.. 401(k) Plan
Like many 401(k) retirement plans, the Degreed, Inc.. 401(k) Plan has some complexities that need to be addressed in your QDRO. Here are some of the most common issues that come up:
Employee vs. Employer Contributions
401(k) plans are often funded by both employee deferrals (pre-tax or Roth) and employer contributions. When dividing this plan, the QDRO should clearly state whether the alternate payee (non-employee spouse) is receiving a share of:
- Just the employee’s contributions
- Employer matching contributions
- Investment gains and losses on both portions
In most divorces, the agreement covers the “account as of the date of divorce,” but the language must match the records held by the plan administrator. A vague or poorly drafted QDRO can cause delays, rejections, or incorrect payments.
Vesting Schedules
Employer contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule. That means the employee must work for a certain period before those contributions become non-forfeitable. If a portion of the employer contributions is not vested at the time of divorce, the QDRO must address how those unvested amounts are handled:
- Are they excluded from the alternate payee’s share?
- Do they become payable later if and when they vest?
- Are forfeited amounts redistributed?
These are key issues to discuss with a QDRO professional so your order protects your intended share.
Outstanding Loans
Many employees borrow against their 401(k) accounts. If the plan participant has an outstanding loan, it can impact the account value. Your QDRO can handle this in different ways:
- Exclude the loan from the balance to be divided
- Divide the net value (balance minus loan)
- Assign a portion of the loan to the alternate payee
This is a sensitive topic and needs to be addressed clearly—with input from both parties and their attorneys. Leaving this out invites confusion, disputes, and possible underpayment.
Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) Funds
The Degreed, Inc.. 401(k) Plan may include both traditional and Roth 401(k) funds. These must be treated differently for tax purposes. A proper QDRO for this plan should note how much of the account is pre-tax (traditional) versus post-tax (Roth), and whether the alternate payee’s share will maintain the same tax character.
This ensures the alternate payee won’t face unexpected tax liabilities or compliance problems when taking withdrawals or rolling over benefits.
What Happens After the QDRO Is Signed?
Once the court signs the QDRO, it needs to be submitted to the plan administrator of the Degreed, Inc.. 401(k) plan for approval and implementation. At PeacockQDROs, we handle that entire process and follow up to ensure benefits are actually divided as ordered—something many other firms don’t do.
Be aware that administrators may take weeks or months to process QDROs. It’s especially important to use clear and correct legal and plan terminology to avoid rejection. You can review our guide to QDRO timing to better understand the overall process.
Common QDRO Mistakes in 401(k) Division
Mistakes in drafting or understanding QDROs can cost thousands of dollars or months of delays. Some of the most frequent problems include:
- Not specifying whether gains/losses apply
- Omitting plan-specific language or requirements
- Failing to address loans, unvested funds, or Roth balances
- Drafting orders that conflict with plan terms
You can read about common QDRO mistakes here to help you avoid the most serious pitfalls.
Why Choose PeacockQDROs for the Degreed, Inc.. 401(k) Plan
Our experience with thousands of private 401(k) QDROs makes us uniquely qualified for handling plans like the Degreed, Inc.. 401(k) Plan. Because this is a corporate plan for a general business employer, it likely uses a third-party administrator and may follow a standard prototype setup with some unique modifications. These variations matter, and one-size-fits-all approaches just don’t work.
We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way. From obtaining missing plan information to working directly with administrators and staying with you through the entire process, our clients count on us for peace of mind and accurate results.
Learn more about our QDRO services here.
Final Thoughts
Dividing the Degreed, Inc.. 401(k) Plan during a divorce takes more than just listing it in the marital settlement agreement. A proper QDRO ensures that federal law is followed, both parties receive what they’re entitled to, and future tax and legal issues are avoided.
If your divorce involved this specific plan or others like it, don’t take chances. Get professional help from a QDRO law firm that handles every step so you know it’s done right.
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 Degreed, Inc.. 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.