Dividing Contributions: Employee vs. Employer Contributions
Most QDROs assign a portion of the account balance to the “alternate payee” (the non-owning spouse). But it’s important to understand where the money in the account came from:
- Employee Contributions (Elective Deferrals): These are usually 100% vested and safe to divide.
- Employer Contributions (Matches or Profit Sharing): These might not be fully vested at the time of divorce. Your share could be reduced if the participant hasn’t met the service requirements.

