Workplace benefits are a major draw when people are looking at job openings, but if you move around from company to company, it’s possible that you may have lost track of some of those benefits. The Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database aims to solve this issue.
The tool, which was launched at the end of 2024, makes it easier for people to find any forgotten 401(k) plans, pensions or other workplace retirement benefits. However, you still need some key details when searching for your lost benefits.
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What the database can and can’t do
The SECURE 2.0 Act brought forth this database so workers and beneficiaries can more easily pinpoint job-based retirement plans that are owed to them. Private-sector employer and union plans are included in this database, but it does not search for individual retirement accounts (IRAs), Social Security benefits or plans sponsored by the government or certain religious organizations.
Keep in mind that this database isn’t guaranteed to help you find money that you can receive. Plans that have already been paid or rolled over may also show up. You will have to reach out to the plan administrator to see what is available. The database only serves as a starting point. It lets you identify potential benefits you may have missed, but you still need to contact any administrators involved.
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What you need before you search
An ID-proofed Login.gov account is a prerequisite for conducting this search. Key details like your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number and photos of the front and back of an active driver’s license will be required as well.
You can then search for benefits based on your Social Security number once you are verified.
What to search beyond the database
The lost 401(k) database is a good starting point, but you shouldn’t rely on it exclusively. You can check databases like missingmoney.com as a backup to see if you have any unclaimed accounts in your state. You can also search for unclaimed money that’s owed to you via unclaimed.org/search, which is run by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA).
If you have questions about your employee benefits you can contact the Employee Benefits Security Administration at AskEBSA.dol.gov or by calling 1-866-444-3272.
Gathering old W-2s, pay stubs, 401(k) statements, and names of former employers can also help you learn about any benefits that you haven’t accessed yet. Going through your own records is vital since the database may contain outdated information.
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