Employee vs. Employer Contributions
This plan likely includes both employee deferrals and employer matching. Only vested employer contributions can be divided in a QDRO. If the participant is not 100% vested at the time of divorce, the unvested balance may eventually be forfeited—and can’t be transferred to the alternate payee.
We make sure to account for this in the QDRO by either:
- Limiting the award to “vested” balances;
- Including post-divorce growth only on the vested portion;
- Or providing for an award on the future-vested portion, depending on the parties’ agreement.

