Finding lost money in the United States.
The United States has no single pension register. Social Security records and workplace plans are traced through different free government services.
Last read: 1 November 2026
Pensions
State pension: my Social Security (SSA). It is the Social Security Administration's online account for your own Social Security record. From abroad: SSA says that if you live outside the US you can use your ID.me login to reach your account.
Workplace and private pensions: US Department of Labor. The Department of Labor's Retirement Savings Lost and Found searches for retirement plans linked to your Social Security number, and its Abandoned Plan Search covers terminated employer plans.
Key facts and sources
- For 2026, the Social Security Administration lists 1,890 dollars of covered earnings for one credit and 7,560 dollars for four. Source: ssa.gov, POMS RS 00301.250, read 1 November 2026.
- SSA says people living outside the US can reach their my Social Security account with an ID.me login. Source: ssa.gov, read 1 November 2026.
- Retirement Savings Lost and Found needs a Login.gov account verified with your Social Security number, a photo of an active driver's license and a phone number linked to you in public records. It does not cover IRAs, government plans or Social Security. Source: lostandfound.dol.gov, read 1 November 2026.
- The Department of Labor's Abandoned Plan Search lets participants search by plan name or employer name to see whether a plan has been or is being terminated. Source: US Department of Labor, read 1 November 2026.
Other lost money
- Official money registers: NAUPA state Lost and forgotten property search. NAUPA says searching is free through your state's official property-search website, and suggests checking each state you have lived or done business in.
- Forgotten insurance: NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator. The NAIC says this free tool helps find a deceased person's life insurance policies and annuity contracts.
- Dormant bank accounts: USA.gov Lost and forgotten money guide. USA.gov points to the FDIC database for funds from closed banks and to NCUA for closed credit unions.
Questions
How do I find a lost pension in the United States?
Check your Social Security record through my Social Security. For workplace plans, search the Department of Labor's Retirement Savings Lost and Found, and its Abandoned Plan Search for ended employer plans.
Can I check my US state pension from abroad?
Yes. SSA says people living outside the US can reach their account with an ID.me login.
What do I need for the Department of Labor plan search?
A Login.gov account verified with your Social Security number, a photo of an active driver's license and a phone number linked to you in public records. This can be hard from abroad.
Worked in more than one country?
No national tool looks across borders. PensionHunter traces pensions left behind across borders. It is run by Battersea Park Capital. Capital Find Money's founder has an interest in it, and we feature it because no national tool looks across countries. Try the free lost pension checker. Our own count of pensions left behind and the guides are free.
We always point people to the free government tracing route first, and we take nothing from financial advisers.