Employee vs. Employer Contributions
401(k) accounts often contain funds from both the employee’s contributions and matching employer contributions. Only the employee’s contributions are automatically considered “vested.” Employer contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule based on years of service. If the participant hasn’t reached full vesting, some of the employer match may be forfeited at divorce.
When preparing your QDRO for the P. Terrys 401(k) Plan, it’s important to:
- Determine vested vs. unvested balances at the date of division
- Specify whether the QDRO assigns only vested amounts or includes a provision for subsequently vesting benefits
If you’re the alternate payee, don’t assume you’re entitled to half of the full balance without checking the vesting rules first.

