1. Employee vs. Employer Contributions
In many 401(k) plans, employer contributions are subject to a vesting schedule. If the employee spouse is not 100% vested, there may be a portion of the employer’s matching funds you aren’t entitled to. We recommend double-checking the Summary Plan Description or submitting a participant statement that shows vested vs. non-vested balances.
The QDRO should clearly state whether it applies only to vested balances or includes future vesting. Some administrators will reject vague language, so precision is key.

