Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database

The website can help you find retirement plans linked to your Social Security number that were sponsored by private-sector employers and unions, including:  

• Defined-benefit pension plans: These guarantee a lifetime monthly payment option, such as an annuity, or a lump-sum payment at retirement.
• Defined-contribution plans: These include plans like 401(k)s, which are primarily funded through individual employees’ accounts which grow during their working years.

To learn more about these retirement plans, click here for additional information.

The website can’t help you find individual retirement accounts, often referred to as IRAs, or plans sponsored by government entities or certain religious organizations. It only allows you to search for reported retirement benefits provided by private-sector employers or unions.

Additionally, the website does not include information about Social Security benefits.

You may be able to find benefits on the website if:

• You worked for a private-sector employer or were a member of a union that sponsored a retirement plan.
• You qualify for retirement benefits from that employer or union.
• Your employer was not a government entity (such as a city, state, or federal agency) or a non-participating religious organization.

No, the search results show that you participated in a retirement plan at some point. Your benefits may have already been paid out, rolled over into another retirement account, or provided as an annuity. Only the plan administrator can tell you if you still have benefits to claim.

A plan administrator is a person or company that manages a retirement fund or a pension plan for participants and beneficiaries. The plan administrator ensures that funds are collected and distributed to all qualified participants or beneficiaries, prioritizing their interests over the company when making decisions.

The SECURE 2.0 Act was signed into law in 2022 to expand retirement savings options for America’s workers and their families. A key provision calls for the creation of a website to help individuals find missing retirement accounts.

Registration is quick and secure. To use the website, you need a Login.gov account validated with a legal identification, such as a driver’s license.

Here’s how:

1. Verify your identity with login.gov: Create a Login.gov account and complete the identity verification process. For more information, visit Login.gov/help.
2. Enter your Social Security number: Re-enter it to verify and click “Search.”
3. View your results: The website will display a list of retirement plans linked to your Social Security number and provide contact information for the plan administrators.
4. Contact the plan administrators: They will verify your identity and help you determine any retirement benefits you may be entitled to collect.

Login.gov verifies your identity and secures your personal information when you use the website. You can learn more on the Login.gov website.

Yes. You don't need a mobile device to complete the Login.gov identity verification process if you have access to a landline phone, as long as it's not a Voice over Internet Protocol (VolP) line.

Please follow the instructions to take and upload clear pictures of your valid state-issued ID. Make sure the images clearly show your name, address, and other relevant information. If the system cannot read this information, you won't be able to complete the identity verification process.

Login.gov requires multifactor authentication (MFA) to keep your account secure, such as a code sent by text message or phone call. However, users can use backup codes instead when creating their login.gov account.

If you selected backup codes during account setup as your MFA method, Login.gov will generate a list of 10 single-use codes. After signing in with your username and password, you’ll be prompted to enter one of these codes. Each code can be used only once. When you’ve used all 10, Login.gov will prompt you to download a new set of codes.

Visit Login.gov for more information about authentication and how to manage your MFA settings.

To protect your information, the website requires verification using a phone number associated with you in public records. If you cannot complete this step, you will not be able to proceed with Login.gov identity verification or access the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database, and alternatives like mail or post office verification are not available.

You can contact the plan administrator at your former employer or union to see whether you earned a retirement benefit from your past employment. If you aren’t sure how to reach the employer or union, an EBSA Benefits Advisor can assist you in locating them. Contact EBSA online at AskEBSA.dol.gov or call 1-866-444-3272.  Benefits Advisors do not have access to the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database website or your private data.

Currently, a Login.gov account validated with a U.S. state issued ID or driver’s license is the only way to access the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database website. We are working on expanding options to include U.S. passports and military IDs in the future.

You can contact the plan administrator at your former employer or union to see whether you earned a retirement benefit from your past employment. If you aren’t sure how to reach the employer or union, an EBSA Benefits Advisor can assist you in locating them. Contact EBSA online at AskEBSA.dol.gov or call 1-866-444-3272.  Benefits Advisors do not have access to the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database website or your private data.

No, the website only allows searches tied to your own Social Security number, through your login.gov account. We are exploring ways to add this functionality in the future.

In the meantime, individuals seeking to locate retirement benefits for a deceased spouse should contact the spouse's former employer(s) and/or associated union(s) to inquire about any retirement benefits. If you aren’t sure how to reach the employer or union, an EBSA Benefits Advisor can assist you in locating them. Contact EBSA online at AskEBSA.dol.gov or call 1-866-444-3272. Benefits Advisors do not have access to the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database website or your private data.

The database includes historical records from the Social Security Administration's Form 8955-SSA, some of which may be outdated. For example, a 2005 filing may not reflect plan mergers, new plan administrators, or updated contact information made since then. Without notification of these changes, our search results may present outdated contact details for the plan administrator.

We’re working to improve this by collecting updated data directly from plan administrators through a new intake portal and using commercially available business search tools to fill in missing or outdated contact information for plans.

No. DOL staff are not authorized to search for participant benefits in the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database website. Access is restricted by federal law. You must complete identity verification through Login.gov to search for your benefits.

Yes, the website protects your data with the highest industry security standards, including full data encryption. You must verify your identity through Login.gov to access the system. You can access only data linked to your verified identity.

The system uses your information to find retirement plans linked to your Social Security number. It does not share your information with anyone else. For more details, review the U.S. Department of Labor’s Privacy and Security Statement.

Yes, you can opt out by using this online form. Opting out prevents anyone from accessing any data linked to your name and Social Security number. You do not need Login.gov credentials to complete the opt-out process.

The website will offer an opt-in option starting in 2025. To opt back in, you must verify your identity using Login.gov. Once you complete the opt-in process, your information will become searchable within approximately 48 hours.

Please contact Login.gov for help. DOL staff cannot assist with Login.gov identity verification process.

For technical assistance, contact the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) by email at RSLFTechSupport@dol.gov.

You can contact an EBSA Benefits Advisor online at AskEBSA.dol.gov or call 1-866-444-3272.