How do I find a forgotten 401 K account from about 20 years ago?

I am aware of a couple of reliable websites.

You can check by entering your last name in the Unclaimed Pension box on the bottom left of the page at Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp - PBGC Protects America's Pensions (http://www.pbgc.gov/)

You should also double check by entering your SSN at https://www.unclaimedretirementbenefits.com/

Hope this helps and good luck!

Didi

Did you try contacting the employer?

When you file for Social Security benefits, they will let you know if you have any other retirement benefits due.

Did you try contacting the employer?

Good advice.


When you file for Social Security benefits, they will let you know if you have any other retirement benefits due.

Are you sure that the Social Security Administration is aware of individual 401(k) accounts? Where have you read that?

Good advice.



Are you sure that the Social Security Administration is aware of individual 401(k) accounts? Where have you read that?

When I was administering 401(k) plans I remember having to file with SSA when an employee left the company without getting a distribution from the plan. As I recall it was an ERISA requirement. But that was Mumble years ago,

I found this on the SSA site:

Pension benefits under private retirement plans (http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1329/~/pension-benefits-under-private-retirement-plans)

Yep sounds like what I referred to. ERISA governs both defined benefit and defined contribution plans. So 401(k)s would come under "Private retirement plans".