Is Your Old 401(k) Lost? Here’s How to Track Down Forgotten Retirement Savings

December 22, 2025

Losing track of a retirement account might sound unlikely—until you consider how often people change jobs. In fact, millions of Americans have done just that. According to a report from Capitalize, an estimated $1.7 trillion is sitting in lost or forgotten 401(k) accounts, with an average balance of $56,616. That represents nearly one-quarter of all assets held in 401(k) plans nationwide. How does so much money go missing? Life happens. Job changes, moves, new responsibilities, and confusing rollover processes often leave small accounts behind. Over time, those “small” balances grow—and many people don’t even realize what they’re missing. At Patriot Federal Credit Union, we believe your money should always be working for you. Here’s how to find any retirement dollars you may have forgotten about and get them back on track.

Why 401(k)s Get Lost in the First Place

The average American born between 1957 and 1964 has changed jobs roughly 12 times. And during events like the Great Resignation, job-hopping became even more common.

When leaving a job after only a year or two, many workers have just a few thousand dollars saved. In the stress of a transition, it’s easy to forget about rolling the account over—or to feel unsure about how to start the process.

The trouble? Even a modest balance can multiply over time. A few thousand dollars left in an old plan 10–20 years ago may be worth three to five times more today, thanks to market growth.

That’s why now is a great time to check for forgotten funds.

How to Find a Lost 401(k): Start with the Easy Steps

You can begin your search with just your Social Security Number and a few minutes of time.

1. National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits

This database is designed specifically to help workers find unclaimed retirement accounts. Enter your SSN to see if any accounts pop up under your name.

2. Retirement Savings Lost and Found (Department of Labor)

A newer tool from the U.S. Department of Labor, this site helps you locate unclaimed retirement savings. While it’s still growing, it’s a convenient resource worth checking.

3. MissingMoney.com

This one-stop site helps users search for unclaimed property, including retirement accounts, held by states and Canadian provinces.

These three resources alone can uncover accounts you didn’t realize you had.

Next Steps: Dig a Little Deeper

If the easy tools don’t find anything, more detective work may help:

Search Your Personal Records

Look for:

Old 401(k) or retirement statements
Pay stubs showing retirement contributions
W-2s from previous employers

Contact Former Employers

Reach out to their HR departments. They may be able to confirm whether you participated in a retirement plan and who administered it.

Call Major Plan Administrators

There are only a handful of large 401(k) providers in the U.S. A retirement specialist can search for accounts using your SSN and other identifying information.

Be aware that:

Accounts under $1,000 may have been cashed out and mailed to your last known address.
Smaller accounts may have been automatically rolled into an IRA.

Other Helpful Resources

A few more tools can assist with tracking down old plans:

Department of Labor’s Abandoned Plan Database
Form 5500 database for locating plan administrators (records go back to 2010)
Private search services like Capitalize and Beagle, which can search for you

Don’t Leave Money Behind—Your Future Self Will Thank You

If you’ve changed jobs even a few times, it’s worth spending an hour to see if any forgotten accounts are still out there. You might be surprised by what you find.

If you need help understanding your retirement options—or want to roll an old 401(k) into an IRA with Patriot—our team is here to help.

Disclosures

This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
Equal Housing Lender