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FAQs About Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) - California QDRO Attorney - Division of Retirement Benefits
Below are some common questions asked. Please use our inquiry form for additional information
What is the most common way that pension plans are divided?
A defined benefit plan is an ‘investment in time’ account-meaning the value of the account is dependent on how much time the employee spouse invested for that particular employer. When dividing these accounts pursuant to dissolution of marriage, one of the most common methods of division is a ‘fractional interest’ division approach. This approach is not applicable to all retirement plans and your retirement plan may use a different method of valuing the accrued benefit in a particular retirement plan (‘points’, for example). Shared and separate interest division methods, depending on benefit plan, may be mandatory or optional.
I have bills to pay. Can I cash out my interest in my former spouse’s 401(k)/403(b)/457(b) Plan via QDRO?
Yes, in most cases you can.
If I cash out my interest and I am under the age of 59 ½ will I have to pay the 10% federal tax penalty I have heard about?
No. Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code 72(t)(2)(c) QDRO payments are an exception to the normal penalty rules.
If I decide to cash out my interest in my former spouse’s 401(k)/403(b)/457(b) Plan via QDRO, will I have to pay any taxes on the money I receive?
Yes. You will have to pay ordinary taxes based on your own personal tax bracket. The Plan Administrator will withhold 20% of the funds payable to you for estimated taxes. Your actual taxes will be determined after you file your tax return. Depending on your own personal income tax bracket, the 20% may be an overestimate or underestimate-resulting in a refund or additional tax liability.
I am the account holder. Can I cash out my own interest via QDRO and avoid the 10% early withdraw penalties if I am under 59 1/2?
Yes and No. You cannot ‘pay yourself’ via the QDRO process, however, if your former spouse is cooperative, you can award your former spouse more than he/she is entitled to under the judgment, with an promise that your former spouse return that money to you, less the applicable tax liability. Using this method, you can ‘take money out’ and avoid the 10% tax penalties.
My judgment says that my attorney is to be paid directly from the QDRO. Can we do that?
Yes and no. Payment from a retirement plan can only be issued to a qualified alternate payee, which means a spouse, former spouse, child, or qualified dependent of the account holder. While attorneys do not fall into any of these categories, from a practical standpoint, after the alternate payee receives his/her funds, those funds can be turned over to anyone, including their family law attorney for fees. This agreement between the attorney and the alternate payee cannot be written into the QDRO document itself.
Can I cash out my interest from my former spouse’s Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and avoid the 10% federal tax penalty?
No. Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code 72(t)(3) the QDRO tax exception does not apply to IRA accounts. You should talk to your CPA to find out if other exceptions apply, such as the first time homebuyers or higher education expense exceptions.
Is it a ‘good idea’ to cash out my interest in my former spouse’s retirement plan to pay my bills or for a down payment on a new house?
David T. Ruegg is an attorney, not a financial advisor. You should seek advice from a financial professional before deciding what to do with your money. If you do not already have a financial advisor, you can ask David for a referral.
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.
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