What Does Fully Vested In Retirement Plan Mean? 
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 . 