Retirement Accounts in Divorce: Classification, Valuation, & Division

Most divorces involve a mix of assets to uncover — real property, bank accounts, investment and retirement accounts, etc. One of the most complex of all is retirement accounts, and for some couples, these accounts can add up to be the bulk of their net worth.

In this session, Sarah Cuddy, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), will untangle the complexities in the different types of accounts, red flags to look for — including which have strings attached — and how to value them and divide them. She’ll share:

• The difference between a Defined Contribution Plan and Defined Benefit Plan
• How to distinguish between a Qualified Plan and an IRA-based Plan, and the appropriate valuation methods for each
• The proven method for dividing and retitling assets held in Qualified Plans and IRA-based Plans
• The role a CDFA plays in optimizing the division of retirement plans in divorce

Presenter: Sarah Cuddy, CDFA® and CFP®, Baird

Before Sarah Cuddy worked in finance, she was a professional opera singer trained at Sam Houston State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Performance with a minor in voice (2004). Being a planner by nature, Sarah soon realized her heart would always be in music — but her financial security didn’t lie in the arts.

In 2010, Ms. Cuddy graduated from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas with an M.B.A — and soon entered the world of finance.

In 2015, Sarah was privileged to join Baird. Knowing the value of education in delivering great client outcomes, she completed study through the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts to obtain the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) designation in early 2017. In 2020, she completed the interdisciplinary training offered by Collaborative Divorce Texas, qualifying her to help facilitate a Collaborative Divorce. In 2018, she also successfully earned the Certified Divorce Planner (CFP®) certification.

Sarah is a proud native Houstonian and enjoys her hometown’s many opportunities for adventurous eating. Outside of work, she is an enthusiastic amateur equestrian, yoga practitioner, hiker, tango dancer, globetrotter, and lover of fine whiskeys. On the weekends, you can find Sarah at the stables with her dog Foxy Lady and her ponies, Chico and Nemo.