Employee and Employer Contributions
A 401(k) plan typically includes both employee contributions (which are always 100% vested) and employer contributions (which may vest over time). In a divorce, it’s critical to distinguish between these two accounts and specify how they’re divided.
If the employee made contributions before the marriage or after the separation, those amounts may be considered separate property and excluded from the QDRO. Employer contributions may also have vesting schedules that determine whether a portion is forfeitable.

