Vesting
The process by which you gain full ownership of employer contributions or equity over time.
Vesting is the schedule on which employer-provided benefits — a 401(k) match, stock options, or RSUs — become fully yours. Until something vests, you could forfeit it by leaving the company. Cliff vesting grants everything at once after a set period; graded vesting hands it over in increments over several years.
Vesting matters most around job changes. Leaving shortly before a vesting date can forfeit a meaningful amount of match or equity, so it's worth knowing your schedule before timing a departure. Your own contributions are always immediately yours; only the employer's portion vests.
This definition is general information to help you understand a term, not financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures that change year to year (limits, thresholds, rates) should be confirmed against current official sources. For guidance on your situation, a licensed fee-only fiduciary is the right next step.