Old 401Ks, how do I find them?

Question

I have been working for many years in IT, up until my most recent position I have not cared about my 401Ks. I am young and irresponsible, just now growing up. My issue is I believe I have old 401Ks from past employers, with no paperwork. How do I find out if I have money sitting somewhere?

Answer 1

Look at your old W-2s.

Contact each of your old employers.

Use for 4506-T to get copies of your old W-2s, etc from the IRS.  Compare your SSA earnings history with your tax records (your SSA totals would higher since they include the 401K money).

Your old W-2 would show if you were contributing to a 401K.  Some firms *dont'* have them or they have them and you, as an employee, may not have participated.

If you were participating, when you left the company one of three things would happen:

a)  You might have cashed out the money.  You would have had to add it to your income tax and paid a 10% penalty.

b)  You might have taken the money and rolled to an new IRA (or to a new employer).  No penalties and no tax.

c)  You might have left the money with the employer--contact them.