Traditional vs. Roth Contributions
This 401(k) plan may include both traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (after-tax) contributions. These two account types are treated very differently for tax purposes. When drafting a QDRO, it’s essential to specify from which account type the distribution should come. Transferring Roth dollars to an alternate payee’s pre-tax account—or vice versa—can lead to unnecessary tax trouble.
Real-world tip: If the plan maintains Roth and traditional sub-accounts, the QDRO should divide each type proportionally. Failing to do so can delay processing or lead to rejected orders.

