Dividing Employee and Employer Contributions
The Golden West Technologies Retirement Security Partnership Plan, like most 401(k)s, includes both the employee’s own salary deferrals and employer matching contributions. In your QDRO, you must clearly define whether the division applies to:
- Employee contributions only
- Employer contributions (vested only or total)
- All contributions regardless of source
It’s common for plans to allow alternate payees to receive a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of the account balance as of a specific date (such as the date of divorce). Work with someone who understands these elections to avoid serious errors.

