How to Find a 401(k) You've Lost Track Of
Key Takeaways
What's particularly noteworthy is More than $1. 65 trillion sits in lost or forgotten 401(k) accounts. Nevertheless, Furthermore, The average unclaimed balance is $56,616 -- a lot of money for...
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5 min read
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personal finance
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July 28, 2025
07:00 AM
The Motley Fool
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What's particularly noteworthy is More than $1. 65 trillion sits in lost or forgotten 401(k) accounts
Nevertheless, Furthermore, The average unclaimed balance is $56,616 -- a lot of money for someone to lose sight of, to be sure, in light of current trends
On the other hand, Yet, it's easy to understand how it might happen, in today's market environment
Given that workers born between 1957 and 1964 held an average of 12 (noteworthy indeed). 4 jobs before age 54, it's no surprise that some accounts fell through the cracks, considering recent developments
Say a person was suddenly laid off and had to relocate to another state for new employment
In the flurry of activity that comes with job hunting and moving, that former employee might forget to deal with the funds in a 401(k)
On the other hand, If there's any chance you've left a 401(k) somewhere (no matter how small you expect the balance to be), here's how you can go claiming it
Additionally, Image source: Getty Images
Reach out to your former employer Locating a 401(k) may be as easy as ing previous employers to ask if they hold any accounts in your name (an important development)
If the company is out of, the plan administrator, amid market uncertainty
If you're unsure who your plan administrator is, on the Department of Labor's EFAST tool, which keeps plan information dating back to 2010, in today's financial world
Moreover, Additionally, Begin with the Form 5500 Series (fascinating analysis), in light of current trends
Check out these three websites No matter how you feel the internet, there's no denying that it can come in handy when you're looking for someone -- or something
That includes old 401(k) accounts
The ing three websites can help you in on where your account may be and give you the tools to recover it, given current economic conditions
National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits The National Registry is a great way for current and former employees to determine if there's a retirement plan out there with their name on it
When you perform a through its site and find retirement money belonging to you, the registry s your former plan sponsor or the custodian holding your retirement money
If you would prefer to your sponsor or custodian yourself, you're welcome to do so
There's no charge for using the site, in light of current trends
To learn if funds are waiting for you, you'll be mpted to enter your Social Security number on the page
On the other hand, If there's a match, you'll immediately be shown the names of any employer or financial institution holding retirement funds on your behalf, considering recent developments
Once you vide the registry with your information, an will automatically go out to the organization that initially registered you in the database
In the meantime, you'll be sent a Benefit Election form that lets your former employer or current custodian know how you would to receive the funds, given the current landscape
You decide whether you want a lump sum distribution or would prefer to roll the money over to another retirement account
Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database This database, vided by the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), is yet another way to for unclaimed retirement funds
Nevertheless, It's designed to help you locate lost or forgotten accounts and vide information on how to claim them
On the other hand, To access this site and keep your personal information secure, you must verify your identity through
On the other hand, However, If you have an existing, given current economic conditions
Gov account, you may be asked to vide additional information (this bears monitoring)
If not, you can set up a new account by viding: Your legal name Date of birth Social Security number Mobile number Front and back pictures of an active drivers license Once your identity has been verified, you'll be directed back to the Lost and Found database to for any retirement plans associated with your Social Security number
While the website can help you find defined-contribution plans 401(k)s, annuities or lump-sum payments due, it can't help you find individual retirement accounts (IRAs) or plans sponsored by government or religious entities
Moreover, In other words, it es for retirement benefits vided by private-sector employers or unions
The site is a good way to spark your memory, but there is one fly in the ointment: The results only show that you participated in a retirement plan
It's possible that the money has already been rolled over into another retirement account, vided as an annuity, or otherwise paid out to you (this bears monitoring)
Missing Money Missing Money is another free and filing system
Additionally, When you file a claim through this site, it goes directly to the state where your perty is held
Conversely, Com is a inghouse for all kinds of unclaimed perty, including retirement accounts
Moreover, Your begins with typing your name on the page and waiting to see what pops up
You can in a specific state or ask the site to check all 50 states
Once you find missing perty in your name, you hover over an "info" button, and a link appears to the state that you'll file your claim through
Moreover, The website is d daily, giving you access to the list of lost or forgotten money
No matter which type of retirement account you're missing, recovery is possible
In contrast, It all begins with calling your former employer, and if that doesn't work, conducting an online.
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