Employee vs. Employer Contributions
When dividing a 403(b) retirement plan like this one, it’s critical to separate employee and employer contributions. Employee contributions are immediately vested and usually easier to value.
Employer contributions, however, may be subject to a vesting schedule. If the participant hasn’t worked long enough or left before becoming fully vested, some of those funds may be lost (called “forfeitures”). Your QDRO needs to clarify whether the alternate payee receives only the vested portion as of the date of division or if they are to share in additional vesting down the line.

