No – if you are vested. Once you have become vested, no one can deprive you of the portion of your retirement money that is vested. If you are only partly vested, you might lose the portion of your retirement that is not vested.

If you suspect that your employer fired you just before you vested, or before other provisions of the plan kicked in, to deprive you from receiving your pension or other benefits, you may have a claim against your employer. You should consult with an attorney who works in that field.

(Reviewed 9-08)