Why Your Settlement Language Keeps Getting Rejected and How to Fix It
We’ve all seen it: what looks like a “clean” retirement clause comes back rejected by the plan administrator. You’re not alone and you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re just using language that used to work. Let’s take a look: Bad Settlement Language (Real Example): “Alex Bretley gets 50% of Alyson Bretley’s Fidelity IRA as of […]
Why Retirement Settlement Language Must Be Strategically Calculated, Not Just Carefully Worded
Most of the mess shows up after the deal is done. Not because attorneys don’t care but because the wrong problem got solved. 🟠 Gains and losses weren’t calculated. 🟠 Marital shares weren’t defined. 🟠 Equalization seemed easier, until it wasn’t. The truth? You don’t need a new form. You need a new sequence. Here’s […]
Free April Drop: What Clients Expect You to Catch in Retirement Settlements
Whether we’ve worked together before or not, this matters. If your agreement includes equalization language or a fixed-dollar division, it may already be off. The market just had its worst week since 2020. The Dow dropped 1,500 points in two days. Yet we continue to see settlement agreements drafted like account values don’t move. Here’s […]
Cash Balance Plans: The Silent Risk in Divorce Settlements
Stop Guessing About Cash Balance Plans. Cash balance plans look simple, but they’re not. These hybrid plans combine pension-like guarantees with 401(k)-style balances. And that’s the trap. Assume they’re like a 401(k)? That’s where settlements fall apart. Here are three must-know truthsbefore you touch a cash balance plan: Equalizing is a No-Go: These plans don’t […]
Are You Risking a Rejected 401(k) Split? Here’s the Fix
What if the biggest mistake in dividing a 401(k) is also the easiest to prevent? The Problem: Undefined Marital Share When dividing a 401(k), IRA, or 403(b), failing to specify the former spouse’s portion in dollars or percentages is a critical error. Unlike pensions, defined contribution plans won’t calculate the marital share for you. The […]