If you're trying to locate an old 401(k) plan from a previous job, you're not alone…not by a long shot. The good news is that the Department of Labor (DOL) has established rules for protecting money put into a 401(k), so the money isn't necessarily lost—just waiting for someone to claim it. However, that doesn’t mean your old 401(k) account will always be easy to track down. It may take some digging, but there are a variety of ways you can find it.
How to find your 401(k) from past jobs
Contact previous employers
It may seem obvious, but one of the quickest ways to track down an old 401(k) plan is to go directly to the source. If you aren’t sure who to contact about finding your missing account, talking to the person who handled company benefits or the human resources department would be good places to start.
Review past W-2 tax forms
Unsure which of your past jobs you even had a 401(k) account with? You’re not out of luck. Check out your old W-2 tax forms; the forms will list the employer you had a retirement plan with that year. Use the information on your old W-2 to contact your plan sponsor, or old employer, directly to get your account information.
Check your mail
It’s possible you’ve been receiving updates on your old 401(k) and didn’t even realize it. Even after leaving a job, companies will often continue mailing out quarterly or yearly statements to participants on the status of their account. You can use the information on these documents to contact your old employer directly for information about your 401(k) plan.
Search the National Registry
Still not having any luck? Past employers may list you as a missing participant if you no longer work for the company but left your 401(k) behind. There are a variety of nationwide, secure databases listing retirement plan account balances that have been left unclaimed.
Search Form 5500 Directory
All employers that provide 401(k) plans to their employees are required to fill out a Form 5500 every year with the DOL. A simple search on the DOL's 5500 databasemay be able to provide you with additional contact information.
State unclaimed property
When assets can’t be rolled into an IRA and the plan can’t setup a bank account (perhaps the participant is deceased), plan sponsors have the option to escheat.
Read more: What Happens When You Make an Early 401(k) Withdrawal?
For further assistance in finding lost 401(k) plans, the DOL has an Abandoned Plan Search, which helps participants and others find out whether a particular plan is in the process of being—or already has been—terminated. The name of the Qualified Termination Administrator (QTA) responsible for the termination will be listed as well, giving you a good idea of who to contact., which helps participants and others find out whether a particular plan is in the process of being—or already has been—terminated. The name of the Qualified Termination Administrator (QTA) responsible for the termination will be listed as well, giving you a good idea of who to contact.
But beware: some companies, even legitimate ones, can acquire your information about unclaimed retirement accounts and offer to assist you with your search, often with a percentage fee for their services.
You might also be interested in: Four Factors that Impact Social Security Benefits
When it comes to planning and saving for retirement, it’s vital to have all your assets accounted for. Locating an old 401(k) plan is like finding cash in the pocket of an old pair of jeans; it’s money you forgot you had but are happy you found. If you know you’ve contributed funds to a 401(k) account but can’t figure out where those funds are, the resources listed above may help you find past retirement accounts that may have been “lost” along your employment journey.
To learn more about preparing for a financially-secure retirement, visit our library of Retirement Saving Resources.
FAQs
The National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits is a good place to start. By entering your Social Security number, you can quickly see if there are any unclaimed 401(k) funds that belong to you.
Can I find my 401k with my Social Security number? ›
The National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits is a good place to start. By entering your Social Security number, you can quickly see if there are any unclaimed 401(k) funds that belong to you.
How can I find my 401k plan from a previous employer for free? ›
The National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits has the specific mission of helping people find lost 401(k)s and other retirement plans. You can run a free 401(k) search to see if your account still exists or if the employer moved the money to an individual retirement account (IRA) in your name.
Where is my 401k after leaving job? ›
When you leave an employer, you have several options: Leave the account where it is. Roll it over to your new employer's 401(k) on a pre-tax or after-tax basis. Roll it into a traditional or Roth IRA outside of your new employers' plan.
How do I find my unclaimed 401k? ›
If your former employer does not have your old 401(k), you can search on the Department of Labor's abandoned plan database. You'll be able to search for your plan using the information you already have, including your name, your employer's name and more.
How to find out if you have a 401k from a previous job? ›
How to find your 401(k) from past jobs
- Contact previous employers. It may seem obvious, but one of the quickest ways to track down an old 401(k) plan is to go directly to the source. ...
- Review past W-2 tax forms. ...
- Check your mail. ...
- Search the National Registry. ...
- Search Form 5500 Directory. ...
- State unclaimed property.
For amounts below $5000, the employer can hold the funds for up to 60 days, after which the funds will be automatically rolled over to a new retirement account or cashed out. If you have accumulated a large amount of savings above $5000, your employer can hold the 401(k) for as long as you want.
Can I still get my 401k from previous employer? ›
4 options for an old 401(k): Keep it with your old employer's plan, roll over the money into an IRA, roll over into a new employer's plan (including plans for self-employed and small businesses), or cash out.
How can I see my 401k online? ›
You'll be able to access your 401(k)'s current balance and performance through an online portal with your plan provider. The portal should be easy to find on Google as long as you know what company holds your account. For example, try searching “(plan provider name) 401k login”.
Can I access my old 401k? ›
By contacting your former employer, reviewing your old records, taking advantage of online resources, or searching among the many databases available, you can track down your retirement dollars and transfer them into an account where you can easily keep track of them.
The good news: your 401(k) money is yours, and you can take it with you when you leave your employer, whether that means: Rolling it over into an IRA or a new employer's 401(k) plan. Cashing it out to help cover immediate expenses. Simply leaving it in your old employer's 401(k) while you look into your options.
Can I borrow from my 401K if I no longer work for the company? ›
You might not be able to access as much cash as you need. The maximum loan amount is $50,000 or 50 percent of your vested account balance, whichever is less. Old 401(k)s don't count. If you're planning on tapping into a 401(k) from a company you no longer work for, you're out of luck.
What happens to 401K money that is not vested? ›
Amounts that are not vested may be forfeited by employees when they are paid their account balance (for example, when the employee terminates employment) or when they don't work more than 500 hours in a year for five years.
What happens to abandoned 401k? ›
Under Department of Labor regulations, the asset custodian of an abandoned individual account plan (e.g., 401(k) plan) is permitted to terminate and wind up the plan, including making distributions to participants and beneficiaries.
Can you find your own 401k? ›
You can fund your account as both the employer and the employee with the following: Annual profit-sharing contributions of up to 25% of your compensation or 20% of your net self-employment income. When should I establish and fund my plan?
Where does lost 401k money go? ›
If left unattended for too long, old accounts can be converted to cash—and even transferred to the state as unclaimed property—forgoing their future growth potential.
Is your 401k attached to your Social Security? ›
Your 401(k) contributions and withdrawals have nothing to do with the amount of these benefits. You'll owe income tax on your 401(k) distributions when you take them, but not Social Security tax. The amount of your Social Security benefit won't be affected by your 401(k) taxable income.
How do I look up my 401k? ›
Contact your former employer.
You can also find an old account by navigating to your former employer's HR department (Human Resources department) website and finding your employer-sponsored retirement plan administrator's contact information. From there, you can call, message on them on LinkedIn, or email them.
How can I check my retirement money from Social Security? ›
You can get your Social Security Statement (Statement) online by using your personal my Social Security account. Your online Statement gives you secure and convenient access to estimates for retirement, disability, and survivors benefits you and your family may be eligible for.
