Episode 193: Vesting: What You Actually Get to Keep in Your Employer Retirement Plan
Wed Feb 04 2026
Most physicians assume that every dollar in their employer-sponsored retirement account belongs to them. That assumption can be a very expensive mistake.
In this episode of The Grow Your Wealthy Mindset Podcast, we break down vesting—what it means, how it’s governed by federal law, and why it matters when physicians change jobs or negotiate contracts. I also share a personal early-career mistake that cost me my employer contributions, and how understanding vesting later helped me make a strategic career decision worth tens of thousands of dollars.
You’ll learn the difference between cliff vesting and graded vesting, how academic, hospital, and private practice roles may differ, and the one action step every physician should take before leaving a job.
Key takeaway: Before you assume that money is yours, make sure it actually is.
Please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite Podcasting platform.
Get 12 Financial Mistakes that Keep Physicians from Building Wealth at https://www.growyourwealthymindset.com/12financialmistakes
If you want to start your path to financial freedom, start with the Financial Freedom Workbook. Download your free copy today at https://www.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com/fiworkbook
Dr. Elisa Chiang is a physician and money coach who helps other doctors reach their financial goals by mastering their money mindset through personalized 1:1 coaching .
You can learn more about Elisa at her website or follow her on social media.
Website: https://ww.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com
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Disclaimer: The content provided in the Grow Your Wealthy Mind...
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Most physicians assume that every dollar in their employer-sponsored retirement account belongs to them. That assumption can be a very expensive mistake. In this episode of The Grow Your Wealthy Mindset Podcast, we break down vesting—what it means, how it’s governed by federal law, and why it matters when physicians change jobs or negotiate contracts. I also share a personal early-career mistake that cost me my employer contributions, and how understanding vesting later helped me make a strategic career decision worth tens of thousands of dollars. You’ll learn the difference between cliff vesting and graded vesting, how academic, hospital, and private practice roles may differ, and the one action step every physician should take before leaving a job. Key takeaway: Before you assume that money is yours, make sure it actually is. Please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite Podcasting platform. Get 12 Financial Mistakes that Keep Physicians from Building Wealth at https://www.growyourwealthymindset.com/12financialmistakes If you want to start your path to financial freedom, start with the Financial Freedom Workbook. Download your free copy today at https://www.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com/fiworkbook Dr. Elisa Chiang is a physician and money coach who helps other doctors reach their financial goals by mastering their money mindset through personalized 1:1 coaching . You can learn more about Elisa at her website or follow her on social media. Website: https://ww.GrowYourWealthyMindset.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElisaChiang https://www.facebook.com/GrowYourWealthyMindset YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WealthyMindsetMD Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/ElisaChiang Disclaimer: The content provided in the Grow Your Wealthy Mind...