Introduction
Dividing retirement assets during a divorce isn’t always as easy as splitting a checking account. When one spouse participates in an employer-sponsored retirement plan like a 401(k), the non-participant spouse may be entitled to part of that benefit—and that requires a special court order known as a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO).
If your spouse has a retirement account under the Ens Security 401(k) Plan & Trust, sponsored by Easterncctv (usa), LLC, getting it divided the right way takes more than just legal paperwork—it takes specific knowledge of how this plan works and what its features mean for you. At PeacockQDROs, we’ve handled thousands of QDROs from start to finish, and we can guide you through the difficult parts.
Plan-Specific Details for the Ens Security 401(k) Plan & Trust
Here’s what we know about this particular retirement plan:
- Plan Name: Ens Security 401(k) Plan & Trust
- Sponsor: Easterncctv (usa), LLC
- Address: 20250627110006NAL0022632146001, 2024-01-01
- Plan Number: Unknown (must be obtained before finalizing QDRO)
- EIN: Unknown (required for submission—usually found in plan documents or SPD)
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Participants: Unknown
- Plan Year: Unknown to Unknown
- Status: Active
- Assets: Unknown
The fact that several data points are unknown or absent on public records means it’s essential to request a copy of the Summary Plan Description (SPD), as well as plan contact details, so you can ensure your QDRO complies with the plan’s rules.
Why You Need a QDRO for the Ens Security 401(k) Plan & Trust
A QDRO is required to legally divide a 401(k) plan like the Ens Security 401(k) Plan & Trust between divorcing spouses. Without a QDRO, the plan administrator cannot—and will not—pay benefits to anyone other than the participant. You cannot rely on the divorce judgment alone.
The QDRO process ensures that the division is tax-qualified and doesn’t trigger early withdrawal penalties or taxes, as long as it’s done correctly. The key is understanding how this specific plan treats things like contributions, loans, vesting, and Roth balances.
Dividing Employee and Employer Contributions
Employee Contributions
Employee contributions to the Ens Security 401(k) Plan & Trust are typically 100% vested immediately. That means if the account balance includes contributions from the employee’s paycheck, the spouse is entitled to a share of those amounts (usually based on duration of marriage and other divorce-specific factors).
Employer Contributions and Vesting
Here’s where things get more complicated. Many 401(k) plans use vesting schedules for employer contributions. If the employee hasn’t been with Easterncctv (usa), LLC long enough, some or all of the employer match might be unvested. Unvested amounts are usually forfeited when an employee separates from service. A QDRO should address this possibility by including language about how to treat forfeitures and reallocation if vesting changes after the divorce.
Handling Loan Balances in QDROs
If the participant has taken a loan from the Ens Security 401(k) Plan & Trust, that loan affects the marital balance. A loan is essentially a debt owed by the participant to their own retirement account. The QDRO must clarify whether the loan is subtracted from the total plan balance before division or if it’s assigned entirely to the participant spouse.
In most cases, the loan stays the responsibility of the participant. But failure to address this in the QDRO can create disputes or implementation delays. It’s critical the QDRO language matches what the plan administrator needs.
Distinguishing Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) Sub-Accounts
Many plans, including the Ens Security 401(k) Plan & Trust, may offer both traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (after-tax) account types. These are treated differently for tax purposes:
- Traditional: Taxed upon withdrawal
- Roth: Contributions taxed when deposited, but withdrawals (if qualified) are tax-free
A good QDRO must specify not just how much each spouse gets, but also from which sub-account type. This prevents confusion and ensures the alternate payee (usually the non-employee spouse) gets the correct tax treatment. Splitting both sub-accounts proportionally works best unless the spouses agree otherwise.
Required Information to Draft a QDRO
To prepare a valid QDRO for the Ens Security 401(k) Plan & Trust, we’ll need to obtain specific details, including:
- The participant’s and alternate payee’s full legal names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers
- The official plan name (Ens Security 401(k) Plan & Trust)
- The name of the plan administrator
- The EIN and Plan Number (can be found in the SPD or plan correspondence)
- Key dates, like the date of marriage and date of separation, to define the marital period
What Makes This 401(k) Plan Unique
Because the Ens Security 401(k) Plan & Trust is sponsored by a general business, Easterncctv (usa), LLC, the plan may rely on standardized recordkeeping platforms and use common vesting formulas. However, this can vary. Unlike government or union plans, privately sponsored 401(k) programs often have multiple investment options, personalized loan terms, and limited pre-approval protocols for QDROs. That means negotiation and QDRO drafting need to be precise.
This is not a plan governed by a public agency, which allows for more flexibility in terms of fund transfers but also requires greater attention to individual plan rules and SPD guidelines. More than ever, you’ll want a QDRO specialist who understands how to communicate with the plan sponsor and administrator effectively.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t fall into some of the common traps we see with 401(k) QDROs. These include:
- Failing to address loans in the QDRO
- Not mentioning unvested employer contributions
- Omitting Roth vs. traditional designations
- Using generic language that delays approval
- Sending an unsigned QDRO to the plan before court filing
Check out our article on common QDRO mistakes so you’re ahead of the curve.
How Long Does It Take to Process a QDRO?
That depends on several factors—how complicated the plan is, communication delays with the plan administrator, and whether both spouses cooperate. You can learn more about our process and timelines in our article on how long it takes to get a QDRO done.
Why Work With PeacockQDROs?
At PeacockQDROs, we’ve completed thousands of QDROs from start to finish. That means we don’t just draft the court order and hand it off—we submit it for pre-approval (if required), file it with the court, and ensure it’s properly processed by the plan administrator. We track every submission until it’s implemented. That’s what sets us apart from firms that only prepare the document and leave you to figure it out alone.
We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way—from start to finish. Visit our QDRO services page or contact us to get help tailored to your plan.
Conclusion
If your divorce involves the Ens Security 401(k) Plan & Trust, don’t underestimate what’s required. Each 401(k) has its own rules, and unless you get the QDRO right, it can cost you time, money, and stress. Address the specific features of this plan—like loans, vesting, and Roth sub-accounts—so you’re protected.
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 Ens Security 401(k) Plan & Trust, 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.