Dividing Employee and Employer Contributions
401(k) plans consist of two major types of contributions: employee deferrals and employer contributions (often profit sharing or matching). While employee deferrals are always considered fully vested and divisible in a divorce, employer contributions may be partially unvested at the time of separation or order entry.
When preparing a QDRO for the Gema Incorporated 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan & Trust, it’s important to:
- Request a detailed account statement showing vested vs. unvested contributions
- Clarify how forfeited employer contributions will be treated in the division
- Ensure the language in the QDRO references only the vested portion unless agreed otherwise

