Employee and Employer Contribution Divisions
401(k) balances often combine employee deferrals and employer profit-sharing contributions. A QDRO must specify how to divide both:
- Will the alternate payee receive a flat dollar amount, or a percentage of the total account?
- Is the division limited to contributions made during the marriage?
- Who keeps market gains or losses after the date of division?
We often recommend using a percentage of the “marital portion” with earnings and losses to ensure fairness over time.

