Employee and Employer Contributions
The Brandeis University Defined Contribution Retirement Plan for Nonexempt Employees is a 401(k) plan, so it likely includes:
- Employee contributions: These are usually fully vested immediately and therefore divisible in a QDRO.
- Employer contributions: These might have a vesting schedule based on years of service. Only vested portions can be awarded.
It’s important to clearly distinguish which parts of the account are divisible based on the employee’s vesting status at the valuation date (usually the date of separation or divorce, depending on state law).

