No, this is not true. That's the entire point I'm making. An RSU that is vested, for a private company, is not a share of stock, it's an entitlement to receive a share of stock tied to a liquidity event.
> same as regular stock purchased through the market
You cannot purchase stock of a private company on the open market.
> The company cannot claw them back
The company cannot "claw back" a vested RSU but they can cancel it.
> nor do they "expire".
Yes, they absolutely do expire. Read your employment contract and equity grant agreement carefully.
It's just a semantic issue. Some folks will say aren't really fully vested when they are double trigger until the second trigger event. Some will say they are vested but not triggered, other people say similar things.
this is incorrect. Private company RSUs often have double trigger with second trigger being IPO/exit. The "semi" vested RSUs can expire if the company does not IPO in 7 years.
Once vested, RSUs are the same as regular stock purchased through the market. The company cannot claw them back, nor do they "expire".