April 13, 2025

PSA: The Government Made a Lost-and-Found for 401(k)s

PSA: The Government Made a Lost-and-Found for 401(k)s

PSA: The Government Made a Lost-and-Found for 401(k)s

There’s a non-zero chance that one of them has your name on it.

Life is expensive. The majority of Americans are underwater when it comes to monthly overhead, and for many, the idea of saving for the future is, at best, a luxurious thought. And yet, right now, literally trillions of dollars are sitting in dormant accounts, doing absolutely nothing. There’s a non-zero chance that one of them has your name on it. 

This should technically be old news, if it weren’t for the fact that so many people still haven’t claimed these accounts — because the total is staggering.

Nearly 30 million forgotten defined-contribution accounts, like 401(k)s and similar plans, remain inactive in employer-sponsored retirement plans at companies people have since left, while the money stayed behind. Altogether, these accounts hold approximately $1.6 trillion in assets, still waiting to be claimed by their rightful owners. And if you happen to discover that you’re one of those people, no shame: Job-hopping is part of life, and life gets busy. It’s too easy to forget an old account, let alone your Hulu password. 

There’s Now an Easy Way to Find Your Money

Back in November, the Department of Labor launched a for private-sector employees. It’s simple to use: Upload a photo of your driver’s license (front and back), enter a few personal details, and the system tracks down any accounts tied to your information.  

The site is a huge convenience compared to how difficult searching for old 401(k)s used to be. There literally could be thousands of dollars waiting, dormant but still yours.

Related: How to Find Forgotten 401(k)s: Government Lost & Found Tool

Once You’ve Found Your Funds, Here’s What to Do Next

It is worth stating the obvious: Don’t just cash them out. Roll them over as soon as possible into a new retirement account. Even if you’re not ready to contribute much of anything right now, moving the money gives it the chance to grow again. 

This isn't your standard 401(k).

Meet the 401(k) that actually gets your team retirement ready.

This isn't your standard 401(k).

Meet the 401(k) that actually gets your team retirement ready.

This isn't your standard 401(k).

Meet the 401(k) that actually gets your team retirement ready.

© 2026 Basic Capital. All rights reserved.

Basic Capital Group Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively, "Basic Capital") provide this website and its contents for informational and educational purposes only. The information on this website is general in nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity.  Nothing on this website constitutes investment, financial, legal, tax, or accounting advice, nor should it be construed as a recommendation or endorsement of any specific investment product, strategy, or service. Basic Capital does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult with your own qualified financial, legal, and tax advisors before making any investment decisions. Our site uses a third party service to match browser cookies to your contact information. We then use another company to send special offers on our behalf.

Recordkeeping Services

Recordkeeping services are provided through Basic Capital Recordkeeping Services LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Basic Capital Group, Inc. Unless expressly agreed to in writing, Basic Capital Recordkeeping Services LLC does not act as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, with respect to any employee benefit plan.

Investment Advisory Services

Investment advisory services are provided through Basic Capital Advisors LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Basic Capital Group Inc. registered with the State of New York as an investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Investments in securities are: Not FDIC Insured • Not Bank Guaranteed • May Lose Value.
Neither Basic Capital Advisors LLC nor its affiliates are a registered broker-dealer or engage in securities brokerage activities. Furthermore, Basic Capital Advisors LLC and its affiliates do not act as a broker-dealer.

Investment Financing (“The Retirement Mortgage”)

Basic Capital’s investment financing arrangement called The Retirement Mortgage is not a security registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This arrangement is not subject to the same regulatory requirements as the investment advisory services provided by Basic Capital Advisors LLC. The investment financing arrangement involves the use of financing or leverage, which carries additional and significant risks beyond those associated with standard investing. This arrangement may not be suitable for all investors. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, terms and conditions, fees and expenses of The Retirement Mortgage before taking advantage of The Retirement Mortgage.  Please review all applicable terms, conditions, and risk disclosures specific to the investment financing arrangement before proceeding.

Basic Capital, 52 Walker Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10013 | 888-460-4901

© 2026 Basic Capital. All rights reserved.

Basic Capital Group Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively, "Basic Capital") provide this website and its contents for informational and educational purposes only. The information on this website is general in nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity.  Nothing on this website constitutes investment, financial, legal, tax, or accounting advice, nor should it be construed as a recommendation or endorsement of any specific investment product, strategy, or service. Basic Capital does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult with your own qualified financial, legal, and tax advisors before making any investment decisions. Our site uses a third party service to match browser cookies to your contact information. We then use another company to send special offers on our behalf.

Recordkeeping Services

Recordkeeping services are provided through Basic Capital Recordkeeping Services LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Basic Capital Group, Inc. Unless expressly agreed to in writing, Basic Capital Recordkeeping Services LLC does not act as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, with respect to any employee benefit plan.

Investment Advisory Services

Investment advisory services are provided through Basic Capital Advisors LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Basic Capital Group Inc. registered with the State of New York as an investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Investments in securities are: Not FDIC Insured • Not Bank Guaranteed • May Lose Value.
Neither Basic Capital Advisors LLC nor its affiliates are a registered broker-dealer or engage in securities brokerage activities. Furthermore, Basic Capital Advisors LLC and its affiliates do not act as a broker-dealer.

Investment Financing (“The Retirement Mortgage”)

Basic Capital’s investment financing arrangement called The Retirement Mortgage is not a security registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This arrangement is not subject to the same regulatory requirements as the investment advisory services provided by Basic Capital Advisors LLC. The investment financing arrangement involves the use of financing or leverage, which carries additional and significant risks beyond those associated with standard investing. This arrangement may not be suitable for all investors. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, terms and conditions, fees and expenses of The Retirement Mortgage before taking advantage of The Retirement Mortgage.  Please review all applicable terms, conditions, and risk disclosures specific to the investment financing arrangement before proceeding.

Basic Capital, 52 Walker Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10013 | 888-460-4901

© 2026 Basic Capital. All rights reserved.

Basic Capital Group Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively, "Basic Capital") provide this website and its contents for informational and educational purposes only. The information on this website is general in nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity.  Nothing on this website constitutes investment, financial, legal, tax, or accounting advice, nor should it be construed as a recommendation or endorsement of any specific investment product, strategy, or service. Basic Capital does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult with your own qualified financial, legal, and tax advisors before making any investment decisions. Our site uses a third party service to match browser cookies to your contact information. We then use another company to send special offers on our behalf.

Recordkeeping Services

Recordkeeping services are provided through Basic Capital Recordkeeping Services LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Basic Capital Group, Inc. Unless expressly agreed to in writing, Basic Capital Recordkeeping Services LLC does not act as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, with respect to any employee benefit plan.

Investment Advisory Services

Investment advisory services are provided through Basic Capital Advisors LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Basic Capital Group Inc. registered with the State of New York as an investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Investments in securities are: Not FDIC Insured • Not Bank Guaranteed • May Lose Value.
Neither Basic Capital Advisors LLC nor its affiliates are a registered broker-dealer or engage in securities brokerage activities. Furthermore, Basic Capital Advisors LLC and its affiliates do not act as a broker-dealer.

Investment Financing (“The Retirement Mortgage”)

Basic Capital’s investment financing arrangement called The Retirement Mortgage is not a security registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This arrangement is not subject to the same regulatory requirements as the investment advisory services provided by Basic Capital Advisors LLC. The investment financing arrangement involves the use of financing or leverage, which carries additional and significant risks beyond those associated with standard investing. This arrangement may not be suitable for all investors. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, terms and conditions, fees and expenses of The Retirement Mortgage before taking advantage of The Retirement Mortgage.  Please review all applicable terms, conditions, and risk disclosures specific to the investment financing arrangement before proceeding.

Basic Capital, 52 Walker Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10013 | 888-460-4901