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 Many employers offer retirement accounts and benefits, and some will even match their employees’ contributions. However, most people leave employers several times throughout their careers. In leaving one job and taking on another, some employees forget to take their 401(k) or other retirement accounts with them. If there’s a chance you have unclaimed retirement benefits but aren’t sure how to access them, knowing how to find your unclaimed retirement benefits can be extremely beneficial. Keep in mind that getting help from a financial advisor might save you a great deal of time in finding that money. How Retirement Benefits Can Go MissingIt’s rare for a person to stay with one company an entire career. Additionally, some companies go out of business after several years of successful operations. With both people and companies in constant transition, it is common for people to lose track of their accrued retirement benefits. What’s more, people might know they have retirement benefits available to them but not know how to find what they have. For example, let’s say a person worked for a company from ages 25 to 35, but now is 45. The company the person worked for over a decade ago has gone under. That money is still completely their own, it just might be challenging to find them. How to Search for Unclaimed 401(k) Retirement AssetsYou can take a few steps to search for your unclaimed 401(k) retirement benefits. The first step is to gather as much information as you can about your former employers. If your employer is still in regular operation, there’s a chance that your 401(k) is still in the account that you had when you were with the company. If you need to do a bit more digging, here are some further steps you can take: Contact Your Previous Employer for Information About Your Old 401(k)Permitting that your previous employer is still in operation, you can reach out to them directly. Typically, the human resources department will have information on your account or point you in the right direction. Most companies try to reach out by sending mail regarding your account when you leave the company. If you moved when you changed jobs, you might have missed those notifications. If the company did not hear from you for an extended period, it might have transferred your funds to a separate, unmanaged account. Discover Where Your Funds May Have Been TransferredIf your former employer does not have your old 401(k), you can search on the Department of Labor’s abandoned plan database. You will be able to search for your plan using the information you already have, including your name, your employer’s name and more. If you had a traditional pension plan and it no longer exists, you can search the U.S. Pension Guaranty Corp. database to find your unclaimed pension. Finally, you may want to search the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits. This service is available nationwide and has records of account balances unclaimed by former retirement plan participants. Use Resources to Discover Unclaimed AssetsBefore you go any further, make sure you take the above steps to locate your funds. Once complete, you can use the following resources to gain access to your unclaimed assets:
How to Search for Unclaimed Pension Retirement AssetsLike finding your unclaimed 401(k), there are ways to search for your unclaimed pension benefits. Depending on your former employer, you may use a different search tool. Government and Military Pension ResourceDepending on your role in the military, some pensions are available to both veterans and their survivors. Be sure to refer to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information.
Lost and Abandoned Pension ResourcesThe Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is a U.S. government agency. It provides information on pension-related topics to help people understand and find their pensions. A few resources that you can use to find a lost or abandoned pension include:
Bottom LineIt is not uncommon for someone to lose track of a pension or retirement plan. That goes for 401(k) money or military pensions, as well as money in 403(b) plans and 457(b) plans. From company changes to personal life shifts, it happens more often than some people realize. However, tracking down your funds can be a headache. Thankfully, there are several resources that can help you along the way. Tips for Retirement Planning
Photo credit: ©iStock.com/koya79, ©iStock.com/svetikd, ©iStock.com/Geber86 Ashley Kilroy Ashley Chorpenning is an experienced financial writer currently serving as an investment and insurance expert at SmartAsset. In addition to being a contributing writer at SmartAsset, she writes for solo entrepreneurs as well as for Fortune 500 companies. Ashley is a finance graduate of the University of Cincinnati. When she isn’t helping people understand their finances, you may find Ashley cage diving with great whites or on safari in South Africa.
How do I find out if I have a retirement fund?To track other resources you may have in retirement, start by getting your Social Security statement and an estimate of your retirement benefits on the Social Security Administration's website, www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement.
How do I find out if I have any money in my 401k?You can find your 401(k) balance by logging into your 401(k) plans online portal and check how your 401(k) is performing. If you don't have access to your account online, contact your HR department and make sure your quarterly statements are being sent to the correct address.
How do I find all my retirement accounts?Contacting your former employer is the fastest way to find your old 401(k). The company's HR department should have records of your retirement account and can advise you on how to access it or roll it over if that's what you decide to do.
How do I find out if I have unclaimed benefits in South Africa?Unclaimed Benefits Search Engine. 0800 20 3722.. Tip-Offs - 0800 313 626.. |
National registry of unclaimed retirement benefits phone number
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