Vesting simply means ownership and refers to how much of the assets in your account you own. You are always 100% vested in your salary-deferral contributions. If your employer makes contributions to your account, you will earn ownership rights to them, including any earnings they may generate according to the vesting schedule set by the employer. These schedules can range from 100% vesting after 3 years of service to a 6-year graded vesting schedule. Always refer to your Summary Plan Description for details.