How To Find My 401(k): Tips To Recover Old, Lost and Forgotten Accounts

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With over 24.3 million forgotten accounts in the U.S., it’s important to learn how to find your 401(k). Our guide will help you locate your old account, keep track of your funds and prevent future loss.

Older man holding cash in his handsOlder man holding cash in his hands

 

 FACT CHECKED

Research suggests that forgotten 401(k) accounts hold about $1.35 trillion worth of assets. Are you missing out on your share?

It’s common when moving jobs to not think about transferring your 401(k) funds or put it off until later. After years pass, you may even forget about the account entirely.

Here are some statistics about lost 401(k) accounts:

  • There are an estimated 24.3 million forgotten accounts in the U.S.
  • Every year, another 2.8 million 401(k) accounts are forgotten by employees leaving their jobs.
  • These lost account owners could be losing out on over $100 billion in additional annual returns from suboptimal asset allocation.

This begs the question: How do I find my 401(k)? To learn how to find your missing funds, manage your wealth and prevent loss in the future, check out our guide below.

How To Find My 401(k) Today

Finding your forgotten 401(k) can vary in difficulty depending on how long it’s been since you worked for your old employer. If you follow the steps below, however, you should be able to find your missing funds and move toward financial wellness.

Find your 401k by contacting your old employer, referencing old 401k statements and checking unclaimed property databases.Find your 401k by contacting your old employer, referencing old 401k statements and checking unclaimed property databases.

Contact Your Old Employer

When you can’t locate an old 401(k), your prior employer is the first entity you should contact. Reach out to human resources and they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Be prepared to provide the dates you worked for them, your full name and your Social Security number.

Note that if there was more than $5,000 in your 401(k), your funds are likely to still be in your old workplace’s account. If your balance was $1,000 or less, however, it’s possible that your employer sent a check for the total amount to your last known address.

Reference Old 401(k) Statements

If you’re having trouble contacting your employer or they no longer exist due to bankruptcy or an acquisition, locate your old 401(k) statements. The statement should have the contact information for your plan administrator, and you can call them directly to inquire about your funds.

Check Unclaimed Property Databases

If you’re still unable to locate your plan, try searching for it via unclaimed property databases. Keep in mind that you’ll want to have your name, Social Security number, employer name and the dates you worked for your former employer at the ready.

Some databases worth searching include:

FreeERISA:FreeERISA will let you know if your former employer rolled your old 401(k) funds into an IRA.
The National Registry:The National Registry allows you to use your Social Security number to search for your unclaimed retirement accounts.
U.S. Department of Labor:Search the DOL’s abandoned plan database using your employer’s name.
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation:If you had coverage under an old pension plan, the PBGC can help you locate your unclaimed plan.

Before you sift through these databases, it’s a good idea to verify that you contributed to a 401(k) at your old job in the first place. You can see any amounts contributed to your 401(k) by referring to Box 12 of your W-2 from when you worked for your former employer.

What To Do With an Old 401(k)

With an old 401k, you can combine your accounts, transfer the money to an IRA or buy an annuity.With an old 401k, you can combine your accounts, transfer the money to an IRA or buy an annuity.

Once you’ve found your old 401(k), it’s important to make sure you don’t lose your funds again. If you invest your money in the right places, you could set yourself up for an early retirement.

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