1. Employee vs. Employer Contributions
The total balance in a 401(k) plan is typically made up of two components: employee salary deferrals and employer contributions. In most divorces, only the marital portion (contributions and growth during the marriage) is subject to division. The QDRO must clearly state whether it divides the entire balance or just the marital segment.
Employer contributions may also be subject to a vesting schedule, meaning the employee might not be entitled to keep all of them yet. We’ll cover that next.

