Understanding QDROs and the Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan
If you’re divorcing and one of you has retirement savings through the Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan, getting a proper Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) in place is critical. Without it, the non-employee spouse—also known as the “alternate payee”—may not receive their share of the retirement plan. Worse, incorrect or incomplete information can lead to denial, delays, tax issues, and loss of benefits.
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 to the plan administrator, and follow-up until everything is finalized. That’s what sets us apart from firms that only prepare the document and hand it off to you.
Let’s walk through what you need to know about dividing the Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan in your divorce through a QDRO, and how to avoid common mistakes that can end up costing you money or time.
Plan-Specific Details for the Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan
- Plan Name: Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan
- Sponsor: Burrow global, LLC
- Sponsor Address: 350 Pine Street, Suite 1000
- Plan Type: 401(k)
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Industry: General Business
- EIN: Unknown (required for your QDRO—ask the employer or plan administrator)
- Plan Number: Unknown (required for your QDRO—should be on employee’s plan statements or SPD)
- Plan Year: Unknown
- Status: Active
If you’re working with a QDRO professional like PeacockQDROs, we’ll help you track down this information as part of our full-service process.
Why 401(k) Plans Require Special Attention in Divorce
Unlike pensions, 401(k) plans involve real-time account balances that fluctuate with market performance, contributions, and loans. When drafting a QDRO for the Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan, it’s not just about splitting a number—there are important factors to consider.
1. Employee and Employer Contributions
The Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan likely includes both pre-tax (traditional) and/or post-tax (Roth) employee contributions, as well as matching contributions from Burrow global, LLC. You’ll want to be sure the QDRO specifies how all contribution types are to be divided.
- Contributions made during the marriage are generally considered marital property.
- Employer matching contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule (more on this below).
2. Vesting Schedules and Forfeitures
If part of the account balance comes from employer contributions, those may be subject to a vesting schedule. That means the full value may not be available at the time of divorce. Unvested amounts can be forfeited if the employee terminates employment before meeting the vesting thresholds.
The QDRO should address how unvested contributions are treated. For example:
- What happens if a portion becomes vested after the divorce, but before distribution?
- Will the alternate payee get a share of any future vesting?
This is often a point of contention, and needs to be clearly addressed in the QDRO to avoid future disputes.
3. Treatment of Outstanding Loans
401(k) account holders often borrow from their plan. The Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan may allow employee loans, which reduces the reported balance. But here’s the issue in divorce: that loan might have reduced the marital value of the plan, and the QDRO needs to specify whether it’s being treated as:
- A reduction in the marital balance (meaning both parties share the impact), or
- The sole responsibility of the participant spouse (often the loan was taken for separate reasons)
A loan balance should never be ignored. The plan administrator needs direction on which portion of the account is assigned to the alternate payee—loan or no loan.
4. Roth vs. Traditional Accounts
If the Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan includes both Roth and traditional sub-accounts, those need to be split carefully. Roth 401(k) contributions are made after-tax, while traditional 401(k) contributions grow tax-deferred. That affects how taxes will be handled when the alternate payee receives a distribution, and must be clearly outlined.
Your QDRO should clearly identify which sub-account types are being divided—traditional, Roth, or both—and how each one is to be apportioned.
Best Practices for Drafting a QDRO for the Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan
A well-drafted QDRO does more than just say “split it 50/50.” Here are things you need to watch for when dividing this particular plan:
- Include the full plan name: Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan
- Include all required identifying information (plan number, sponsor EIN, addresses, etc.)
- Specify whether the division is a percentage or fixed dollar amount
- Clarify whether earnings and losses apply from a valuation date to distribution
- Address loans, vesting schedules, and sub-account types
- State taxation and rollover instructions clearly, especially for Roth assets
We strongly recommend avoiding fill-in-the-blank or generic QDRO templates for this plan. Different plans have different administrative rules—and missing a key detail might result in rejection or an incomplete transfer of funds.
How Long Does It Take?
That depends. There are five major factors that determine your QDRO timeline—how long you’ve been divorced, what your marital agreement says, whether the plan requires preapproval, how quickly the court processes your order, and how responsive the administrator is. Learn more about timelines here: Five Factors Influencing QDRO Timing.
Common QDRO Mistakes to Avoid
We’ve seen countless QDROs rejected due to small but critical errors. Some of the most common issues for 401(k) plans like the Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan include:
- Failing to properly identify the plan
- Omitting how loans or unvested employer funds are addressed
- Using vague terms that don’t match the plan’s administration policies
- Leaving Roth contributions unaddressed
Don’t fall into those traps. Visit our guide on common QDRO mistakes to avoid costly errors.
Expert Help Makes All the Difference
401(k) plans are not all alike. Plan sponsors like Burrow global, LLC can set specific rules for how the Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan manages distributions under a QDRO. Getting it wrong can cause serious delays—or even denial. With us, you get full-service help from start to finish. We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way.
You can read more about our QDRO process here: PeacockQDROs QDRO Services.
Still Have Questions?
If you’re dealing with division of a 401(k) in your divorce, especially a plan like the Burrow Global 401(k) Savings Plan, getting it right means working with someone who’s done this before—hundreds (even thousands!) of times. We’re here to help make sure your share is protected, transferred properly, and done without surprises down the road.
Contact us here for guidance tailored to your situation.
Important State-Specific Notice
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 Burrow Global 401(k) Savings 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.