1. Employee Contributions vs. Employer Contributions
In most 401(k) plans like the Ikav Energy Inc.. 401(k) Plan, contributions come from both the employee and the employer. While an employee’s contributions are always 100% vested, employer contributions often follow a vesting schedule. This means only the vested portion of the employer match can be divided in a QDRO. The unvested portion typically reverts back to the plan if a participant separates before full vesting is met.
If your divorce occurs before the full vesting schedule is satisfied, it’s critical to define in the QDRO whether or not the alternate payee will receive future vesting—or just what is vested at the time of the divorce or QDRO approval.

