1. Traditional vs. Roth Contributions
Many 401(k) plans—including this one—may include both traditional (pretax) and Roth (post-tax) contributions. The QDRO should specify whether it applies to both types and in what proportion. For example, an alternate payee could receive a split of only the pretax account, or could be awarded a pro-rata share of both Roth and traditional contributions.
This distinction impacts future taxation. Traditional 401(k) funds are taxed upon distribution, while Roth funds are generally tax-free if certain conditions are met. That makes it critical to spell out what type of funds are being divided.

