401(k) Contribution Types
This plan likely includes multiple account sources—which is common in business-sponsored 401(k) plans:
- Employee Contributions: Also called elective deferrals. These are subject to immediate vesting and are always owned by the participant.
- Employer Contributions: Often subject to a vesting schedule. QDROs should address whether only vested portions are to be divided—or whether unvested future vesting is included in the award.
- Profit Sharing Contributions: These may differ from regular employer matching and can have separate rules or vesting timelines.
Always clarify in the QDRO whether each account source is included and how they’ll be divided—either by dollar amount or percentage.

