Employee and Employer Contributions
Most 401(k) accounts include both employee deferrals (what the employee personally contributes) and employer contributions (often a match). In dividing the account, your QDRO must clarify whether the alternate payee is awarded a share of both, or just the employee portion.
It’s also common to divide only the portion earned during the marriage. That requires specific start and end dates—usually your marriage date and separation date—to define what’s considered marital property.

