Employee and Employer Contributions
Most 401(k) plans contain both employee-deferred contributions and employer matches. A QDRO for the High Hopes, Inc.. 401(k) Plan should clarify:
- Whether the alternate payee is receiving a share of both types of contributions
- The assignment date (e.g., date of separation, judgment date, or another agreed-upon valuation date)
- Whether gains and losses apply up to the date of distribution
Don’t assume the alternate payee automatically gets a portion of the employer match—especially if the participant wasn’t fully vested at the time of divorce.

