| 1. | cloth that is usually of medium or heavy weight and has figures or ridges, as piqué, jacquard, dobby silk, or Bedford cord, originally used for decorative vests and now also for a variety of other garments. |
| 2. | the granting to an eligible employee of the right to specified pension benefits, regardless of discontinued employment status, usually after a fixed period of employment. |
| 1. | a close-fitting, waist-length, sleeveless garment that buttons down the front, designed to be worn under a jacket. |
| 2. | a part or trimming simulating the front of such a garment; vestee. Compare dickey 1 (def. 1). |
| 3. | a waist-length garment worn for protective purposes: a bulletproof vest. |
| 4. | a sleeveless, waist- or hip-length garment made of various materials, with a front opening usually secured by buttons, a zipper, or the like, worn over a shirt, blouse, dress, or other article for style or warmth: a sweater vest; a down vest. |
| 5. | British. an undervest or undershirt. |
| 6. | a long garment resembling a cassock, worn by men in the time of Charles II. |
| 7. | Archaic.
|
| 8. | to clothe; dress; robe. |
| 9. | to dress in ecclesiastical vestments: to vest a bishop. |
| 10. | to cover or drape (an altar). |
| 11. | to place or settle (something, esp. property, rights, powers, etc.) in the possession or control of someone (usually fol. by in): to vest authority in a new official. |
| 12. | to invest or endow (a person, group, committee, etc.) with something, as powers, functions, or rights: to vest the board with power to increase production; to vest an employee with full benefits in the pension plan. |
| 13. | to put on vestments. |
| 14. | to become vested in a person, as a right. |
| 15. | to devolve upon a person as possessor; pass into possession or ownership. |
| 16. | play it close to the vest, Informal. to avoid taking unnecessary risks. |

vest
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Vesting
The process by which employees accrue non-forfeitable rights over employer contributions that are made to the employee's qualified retirement plan account.
Investopedia Commentary
Generally, non-forfeitable rights accrue based on the number of years of service performed by the employee. The exact requirements are specified in the plan document, which also contains any applicable regulations. Employees are always 100% vested in salary-deferral contributions as well as SEP and SIMPLE employer contributions.
Related Links
The 401(k) and Qualified Plans Tutorial
Changes In Cash-Out Rules For Qualified Plans
See also: 401k Plan, Employee Stock Option (ESO), Option, Pension Plan
Also spelled: vest