Employee and Employer Contributions
Most 401(k) plans like the Dupage Credit Union Employees 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan will include a mix of employee deferrals (money contributed from the employee’s paycheck) and employer contributions (like matches or profit-sharing amounts). A QDRO can award a portion of the total account balance as of a specific date—commonly the divorce date or separation date.
If the plan offers employer matching contributions, the degree to which those funds are vested (owned) becomes crucial. Unvested funds are usually not accessible to the alternate payee unless they become vested after the divorce.

