Have You Lost Track of an Old 401(k)? The Government Just Made It Easier to Find

If you've changed jobs a few times, there's a real chance a 401(k) or pension from an old employer is still sitting out there with your name on it. A free U.S. Department of Labor tool can now help you track it down in a few minutes.

It happens more often than people think. You leave a job, the plan sends mail to an old address, the company merges or changes plan administrators, and the account quietly falls off your radar. Years later, nobody remembers who to call.

What is the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database?

It's a free, secure search tool run by the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). It was created under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, which directed the government to build one central place where workers can look up retirement plans they may have forgotten.

You can find it at lostandfound.dol.gov. The search is tied to your Social Security number, and it returns the plans you participated in along with contact details for each plan's administrator.

What it can (and can't) find

The database covers workplace retirement plans offered by private-sector employers and unions. That includes:

• Traditional pensions (defined-benefit plans) that pay a monthly benefit or a lump sum at retirement
• 401(k)s and similar plans (defined-contribution plans) funded through your own account

It will not show:

• IRAs, including any you rolled an old 401(k) into
• Plans from government employers (federal, state, or city) or from certain religious organizations
• Social Security benefits

How to search

To protect your information, you'll need to verify your identity through Login.gov before you can search. Have these ready:

• Your legal first and last name
• Your date of birth
• Your Social Security number
• A mobile phone (a non-VoIP landline also works)
• A valid state-issued driver's license or ID, front and back

Once you have those, the process takes four steps:

1. Create or sign in to your Login.gov account and complete identity verification.
2. Enter your Social Security number twice and click Search.
3. Review the list of plans linked to your SSN, along with each plan administrator's contact information.
4. Reach out to each plan administrator to confirm whether you still have benefits to claim.

If you can't complete Login.gov verification (for example, you only have a passport or military ID), you can still contact your former employer or union directly. EBSA's Benefits Advisors can help you locate them at AskEBSA.dol.gov or 1-866-444-3272.

What your results mean

A plan showing up in your results means you were a participant at some point. It doesn't guarantee money is still waiting. The benefit may already have been paid out, rolled over, or converted to an annuity. Only the plan administrator can confirm what, if anything, you're still owed.

Keep in mind that some contact details come from older government filings and may be out of date, especially if the plan has since merged or changed administrators. If a phone number or address doesn't work, EBSA's Benefits Advisors can help you find the current contact.

The tool also can't search on behalf of a deceased spouse yet. For that, contact the spouse's former employers or unions directly.

Watch out for scams

Anywhere there's "found money," scammers follow. Keep these points in mind:

• The Department of Labor will never call, text, or email you asking for your password or a one-time code.
• DOL will never ask to share your screen or remotely control your device.
• The search is free. DOL does not charge a fee to recover funds, so don't pay anyone who claims they can do it for you.

If something feels off, stop and contact DOL directly at RSLFSupport@dol.gov.

Found something? Talk to us before you cash out

Recovering an old account is good news, but how you take the money matters at tax time. A few things to know:

• Cashing out is usually taxable. A lump-sum payout from a 401(k) or pension is generally taxed as ordinary income, and the plan typically withholds 20% for federal taxes up front.
• Early withdrawals can cost more. If you're under 59½, you may owe an extra 10% penalty unless an exception applies.
• A direct rollover avoids both. Moving the money straight into an IRA or your current employer's plan keeps it tax-deferred.
• Older account holders should check for missed RMDs. If you've reached required minimum distribution age, a forgotten account could mean missed withdrawals that need to be corrected.

At Chet Tooker, Certified Public Accountant, we can help you weigh your options, plan for the tax impact, and make sure everything is reported correctly on your return. If you find a forgotten account, or just want help getting started, contact our office today.

This post is for general information only and isn't tax or investment advice for your specific situation.

Sources

• Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database, U.S. Department of Labor, EBSA