Employee vs. Employer Contributions
Employee contributions are always 100% vested. Employer contributions, however, often follow a vesting schedule. The alternate payee is entitled only to the participant’s vested share as of the cutoff date defined in the QDRO (often the date of separation or divorce judgment).
That makes it vital to request a vesting statement, typically available directly from the plan administrator. If the order includes non-vested employer funds by mistake, the plan will reject the QDRO.

