Find a lost 401(k) or pension
For an old 401(k) or pension, search the Labor Department's Retirement Savings Lost and Found and PBGC's unclaimed pensions search. Official searches are free.
Where to look
Retirement Savings Lost and Found (US Department of Labor)
Find old 401(k)s and pensions from private employers and unions. It does not cover IRAs, government pensions or Social Security.
How: Free. You sign in with Login.gov and your own SSN on the official site. A match shows you were in a plan; the plan itself confirms whether money is still owed and pays it. DOL does not charge a fee.
Checked 27 September 2026
PBGC unclaimed retirement benefits
Money owed from private-sector pension plans that have ended. Updated quarterly.
How: Free search on PBGC.gov by last name and the last four digits of your SSN (entered on their site, not here).
Checked 27 September 2026
Your state unclaimed property office
Some uncashed retirement plan checks end up with the state.
How: Ask Find My Money for your state, for example "unclaimed money in Ohio". Find your state's official search.
Checked 27 September 2026 · Source: usa.gov
Searching is free
Official searches are always free. Never pay an upfront fee or give bank or card details to "release" money. Finder companies exist and charge a share of what they find, so check with your state that one is registered before signing anything.
Quick answers
- How do I find an old 401(k) or pension?
- For an old 401(k) or pension, search the Labor Department's Retirement Savings Lost and Found and PBGC's unclaimed pensions search. Official searches are free.
- What is Retirement Savings Lost and Found (US Department of Labor)?
- Find old 401(k)s and pensions from private employers and unions. It does not cover IRAs, government pensions or Social Security. Free. You sign in with Login.gov and your own SSN on the official site. A match shows you were in a plan; the plan itself confirms whether money is still owed and pays it. DOL does not charge a fee.
- What is PBGC unclaimed retirement benefits?
- Money owed from private-sector pension plans that have ended. Updated quarterly. Free search on PBGC.gov by last name and the last four digits of your SSN (entered on their site, not here).
- Do I have to pay to search?
- Official searches are always free. Never pay an upfront fee or give bank or card details to "release" money. Finder companies exist and charge a share of what they find, so check with your state that one is registered before signing anything.
Sources
- https://lostandfound.dol.gov/
- https://www.pbgc.gov/workers-retirees/find-unclaimed-retirement-benefits/search-unclaimed
- https://unclaimed.org/
- https://www.usa.gov/unclaimed-money
Ask Find My Money yourself
Type what you are looking for, like an old 401(k) or a tax refund, and get the official place to check. Open Find My Money, free, no sign-up.
In Claude or any app that takes MCP connectors, add https://goodturn-mcp.pages.dev/findmymoney/mcp and ask: “How do I find an old 401(k) or pension?”
In the UK? See Find a lost UK pension.
More places to look
- Unclaimed IRS tax refunds
- Lost savings bonds
- Failed banks and credit unions
- FTC, SEC, CFPB and HUD refunds
- Unclaimed life insurance
- Unclaimed back wages
- Bankruptcy court unclaimed funds
- Money from a relative who died
- Lost stocks and brokerage accounts
- Individual Indian Money accounts
- Unclaimed property by state