Employee and Employer Contributions
401(k) plans typically consist of contributions made by the employee (the participant) and often matching or discretionary contributions made by the employer. In divorce, both types of contributions are subject to division, but only to the extent that they are marital property—which usually means contributions made during the marriage.
It’s important to:
- Identify contributions made before vs. during the marriage
- Clarify employer contributions with vesting schedules (see below)

