my question is: where can I get help in locating an old 401k plan from a company that has sinced changed names twice and I believe finally went under.. at the time of me leaving my position I was totally naive about my 401kplan...the only thing I knew was that I was giving the 5% contribution from my paycheck. I worked for that company for only 3 years, should I even try to find out if there is money sitting somewhere? I did attempt to go online but got the run around on whom I would need to speak to...my current employer took the time to explain to us exactly what the purpose of a 401k plan was and although I am still confused about some issues I now at least keep track of my funds and quarterly statements...please help

ebaines

Don't just give up on finding your old 401(k) - these are your assets and you don't want to just lose 3 years worth of savings.

First suggestion is to try and dig up any old statements the administrator of the plan sent you. They should send a statement to you at least quarterly. Have you looked through all your old financial records?

Second suggestion is call your old boss or any old colleagues and ask them what happened to the 401(k) plan.

Third - most plans are required to file an annual "Form 5500" with the U.S. Government. You can search these 5500's for the name of your former employer at free websites like Welcome to freeErisa.com!. If you can find a Form 5500 on an old plan, it will have contact information.

The final suggestion is go online and search for abandoned property in the state you lived in at the time. If you have not been receiving statements from the 401(k) plan administrator they may now consider you lost, and by law they would have turned your assets over to the state. Every state has a program to try to reunite people with their lost assets. You can do a Google search using the name of your state and "unclaimed property" and that should take you to a web site with information on how to track it down.

sofia1226

GO TO THIS SITE. www.osc.stateny.us iT IS A LEGITIMATE SITE FOR THE STATE COMPTROLLERS OFFICE. WHEN YOU GET TO THE SITE CLICK ON UNCLAIMED FUNDS. PUT IN YOUR LAST NAME FIRST AND THEN YOUR FIRST NAME. IF YOU WANT YOU CAN TRY IT ALL DIFFERENT WAYS, JUST YOUR LAST NAME, THEN IT BRINGS UP EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE WITH THAT LAST NAME THAT IS OWED MONEY. IF YOU WNT TO NARROW IT DOWN PUT YOUR FIST AND LAST NAME AND THE CITY YOU LIVE, THAT WILL NARROW IT DOWN. I USUALLY CHECK ALL, JUST TO SEE IF ANYONE I KNOW HAS MONEY COMING TO THEM. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY IT WILL SAY NO ONE WITH THAT NAME HAS BEEN FOUND, IF IT FINDS THE NAME, SCROLL DOWN AND IT WILL TELL YOU WHERE IT FROM, JUST CLICK ON THE ACCOUNT # THAT IS THERE AND PRINT OUT THE FORM IT TELLS YOU TO. FILL IT OUT AND SEND IT BACK WITH THE PROPER ID THAT THEY ASK FOR. IT IS FREE IT DOES NOT COST YOU ANYTHING, THIS IS A REAL LEGAL STATE SITE. GOOD LUCK SOPHIA

ScottGem

First please don't type in all caps. While that is a good site for NY residents, there is no indication the OP was from NY.