Business Development Officer, T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, Fresno, California
When the employer contributes to the pension plan, they normally set up a “vesting schedule.” As an employee serves they are progressively “vested” in the pension plan and in particular to the contributions made by the employer. If the employee leaves the plan prior to becoming fully vested they can withdraw a portion or nothing, depending upon the vesting schedule. Fully vested means that you own 100% of the pension plan benefit.
Fully vested in a retirement plan, means that the company contributions are not like your own.
Some plans have restrictions on withdrawals in cash, but if you were to leave the employer and your contributions can be transferred to an approved plan.
If you have any further questions, or feel that I could be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Fully vested means that the contributions made into your retirement plan by your employer are officially yours to keep. If you were 40% vested according to a vesting schedule created around your plan, then only 40% of the contributions made into your account by your employer is yours. And so on. Vesting schedules usually have a set period before you are fully vested.
Agent Owner, Gilmore Insurance Services, Marysville, Washington State
What does fully vested mean in a retirement plan? What it means is that "both" your contributions and your company's "matching" contributions or profit sharing deposits on your behalf are fully yours. The company cannot withhold those funds upon separation of service be it for retirement, layoff or simply quitting the job and going elsewhere. Once you're fully vested the account balance is 100% yours.
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Some plans have restrictions on withdrawals in cash, but if you were to leave the employer and your contributions can be transferred to an approved plan.
If you have any further questions, or feel that I could be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.