Employee vs. Employer Contributions
In most 401(k)s—including the Quality Mat Company Employee Savings and Retirement Plan —there are two types of contributions from the employee’s side and the employer’s side. During a divorce, it’s essential to distinguish between the two:
- Employee Contributions: Usually 100% vested immediately and can be divided without complication.
- Employer Contributions: May be subject to vesting schedules. Only vested amounts are available to be divided through a QDRO.
If the plan participant hasn’t worked at the Quality mat company employee savings and retirement plan for very long, the unvested portion of employer contributions may be forfeited entirely after divorce. Be sure your QDRO only refers to vested funds, or specifically lays out how unvested amounts should be treated if they later become vested.

