1. Employee and Employer Contributions
The QDRO must address whether both employee (participant) and employer contributions are included in the division. In most cases, employer contributions are subject to vesting schedules, which may impact how much a former spouse is entitled to. Be sure to specify:
- The proportion of account balance to be divided (e.g., 50% of the marital portion)
- The relevant valuation date (commonly the date of separation)
- Whether gains and losses are included from that valuation date to the date of distribution
You’ll also want to confirm whether profit sharing contributions are included in the marital portion or excluded based on state laws or marital agreements.

