Employee vs. Employer Contributions
Most 401(k) plans include both contributions made by the employee and matching or discretionary contributions from the employer. While the employee contributions are 100% vested, employer contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule.
- If you’re dividing the plan using a QDRO, it’s critical to specify whether the alternate payee is entitled to vested employer contributions only or both vested and unvested amounts as of a specific valuation date.
- Employees may forfeit non-vested employer contributions after separation or divorce. Clarifying the cutoff date in the QDRO helps avoid misunderstanding or loss of money.

