Employee and Employer Contributions
This 401(k) plan most likely includes both employee salary deferrals and employer profit-sharing contributions. The QDRO must clearly define what types of funds are being divided:
- Employee contributions are always 100% vested and can be divided without restriction.
- Employer contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule—only the vested portion is eligible for division via QDRO.
For example, if an employee has worked at Maguire’s ford, Inc.. 401(k) profit sharing plan for only two years, they may only be 40% vested in profit-sharing contributions. Those unvested funds will not transfer to the alternate payee (usually the ex-spouse).

