Vesting refers to the process by which an individual gains full, unconditional ownership of certain assets or benefits, typically over time. This is common in retirement plans and employee stock options, where an employer provides benefits that become fully owned by the employee after a specified period or set of conditions is met. Vesting schedules can be “cliff,” where full rights are granted at once after a period, or “graded,” where ownership accrues gradually. Full vesting provides long-term financial security.