How to locate an old 401k account

2 Answers

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  Pinyo on Jun 01, 2010

  There are several ways to locate information about an old 401k plan. The first and best method of finding an old 401k is to contact your former employers. Ask them to check their plan records to see if you ever participated in their 401k plan. Be sure to have your social security number and the dates you worked from them handy.

  Due to mergers, bankruptcies, and relocation, you may not be able to locate your former employer. In this case, try to find an old 401k plan statement to see if it contains any contact information for the firm that administered the plan. If it does, call them and ask if they can check on your account.

  Another method is to contact other former employees you worked with and see if they still have any record that will help you locate the plan administrator.

  As a last resort, 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 http://www.freeERISA.com. If you can find a Form 5500 on an old plan, it will have the contact information.

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  elizabeth journeaux on Feb 19, 2011

  trying to locate old 401k account with merryll lynch ca.
  last contact was in 2004