Qdro Calculator

QDRO Marital Share Calculator

Calculate the Marital Portion of Retirement Benefits using the Coverture Fraction

Monthly pension amount or total 401(k) balance.

Years participant was in plan while married.

Total years participant has been in the plan.

Usually 50% of the marital portion.

Calculation Results

Coverture Fraction (Marital Ratio):

Total Marital Portion:

Alternate Payee Share:

Understanding the QDRO Calculation

A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a legal judgment, decree, or order used to divide retirement assets during a divorce. One of the most common methods for determining the "marital portion" of a pension or defined benefit plan is the Coverture Fraction (also known as the "Majauskas" formula in some jurisdictions).

How the Formula Works

The calculation follows a specific mathematical logic to ensure that only the benefits earned during the marriage are divided between spouses. The formula is broken down as follows:

• The Coverture Fraction: This is calculated by dividing the years of participation in the retirement plan during the marriage by the total years of participation in the plan.
• The Marital Portion: The total benefit (or account balance) is multiplied by the coverture fraction.
• The Alternate Payee's Share: The marital portion is then multiplied by the agreed-upon percentage (typically 50%).

Example Scenario

Assume a participant has been in a pension plan for 20 years. They were married for 10 of those years while participating in the plan. The total monthly benefit at the time of divorce is $4,000.

1. Coverture Fraction: 10 years married / 20 years total = 0.50 (or 50%).
2. Marital Portion: $4,000 × 0.50 = $2,000.
3. Spouse's Share (at 50%): $2,000 × 0.50 = $1,000 per month.

Important Considerations

While this calculator provides a standard estimate, QDROs are complex legal documents. Factors that can change the calculation include:

• Valuation Date: The "current value" might be calculated as of the date of separation, the date of divorce filing, or the date of the decree.
• Pre-Marital Balances: For 401(k) accounts, many courts prefer the "subtraction method," where the balance at the date of marriage is subtracted from the current balance.
• Gains and Losses: Most QDROs account for market fluctuations on the marital portion between the time of divorce and the time of distribution.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. QDRO rules vary significantly by state and specific plan requirements. Consult with a qualified attorney or QDRO specialist.

function calculateQDRO() { var benefit = parseFloat(document.getElementById('benefitAmount').value); var mYears = parseFloat(document.getElementById('marriageYears').value); var tYears = parseFloat(document.getElementById('totalYears').value); var split = parseFloat(document.getElementById('splitPercent').value); var error = false; if (isNaN(benefit) || isNaN(mYears) || isNaN(tYears) || isNaN(split)) { alert("Please fill in all fields with valid numbers."); error = true; } if (tYears tYears) { alert("Years of marriage during participation cannot exceed total years of participation."); error = true; } if (!error) { var fraction = mYears / tYears; var maritalPortion = benefit * fraction; var finalShare = maritalPortion * (split / 100); document.getElementById('resFraction').innerHTML = (fraction * 100).toFixed(2) + "%"; document.getElementById('resMaritalPortion').innerHTML = "$" + maritalPortion.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('resFinalShare').innerHTML = "$" + finalShare.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('qdro-result-box').style.display = 'block'; // Smooth scroll to result document.getElementById('qdro-result-box').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' }); } }