Retirement lost and found

Retirement Savings "Lost and Found" is Live

Madrona Financial| Danielle Meister
March 01, 2025•3 min read

If you’ve ever switched jobs and lost track of an old 401(k), you’re not alone. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), millions of Americans have unclaimed retirement accounts scattered across former employers. Fortunately, help has arrived. The DOL recently launched its new Retirement Savings Lost and Found (RSLF) tool, a free service designed to help people reconnect with forgotten retirement accounts. Here’s how it works and why it matters.

What Is the Retirement Savings Lost and Found?

The RSLF is a national online database that helps individuals search for retirement accounts they may have forgotten about. When you leave a job, there’s a chance your 401(k) or other retirement plan gets left behind, especially if you don’t roll it over into a new account. Over time, these accounts can become “lost,” making it difficult for individuals to track down their savings. The DOL’s tool is designed to simplify this process.

Begin by Going to the DOL’s Lost and Found Website: lostandfound.dol.gov

Using the Retirement Savings Lost and Found is quite straightforward, but be prepared for a multi-step authentication process. Once your identity has been verified, the tool will return a list of your retirement plans that are unclaimed, including contact details for the plan administrator. From there, you can reach out to claim your funds and decide whether to roll them into your current retirement account or leave them as is.

Don’t Leave Money Behind

Losing track of a retirement account can happen to anyone, especially in today’s world where job changes are common. Take a few minutes to check the DOL’s Retirement Savings Lost and Found. You may be surprised at what you discover!

If you have questions about how to manage “found” retirement accounts or roll them into your current investment plan, reach out to Danielle Meister and her Madrona team for personalized advice.

Growing Your Wealth with Danielle Meister. For over 30 years, Madrona Financial & CPAs has been helping individuals and families improve their financial well-being by giving them experienced advice on public market (stocks and bonds) investments, alternative investments, real estate, insurance, taxes, executive compensation, business structure and business succession strategies, advanced gifting strategies, estate planning, and more. Madrona is headquartered in Washington State, while Danielle and her staff have offices in Park City and Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Call us 833-673-7373.

DISCLOSURES:
The information, suggestions, and recommendations included in this material is for informational purposes only and cannot be relied upon for any financial, legal or insurance purposes. Madrona Financial Services will not be held responsible for any detrimental reliance you place on this information. It is agreed that use of this information shall be on an “as is” basis and entirely at your own risk. Additionally, Madrona Financial Services cannot and does not guarantee the performance of any investment or insurance product. Insurance products are offered through Madrona Insurance Services, LLC, a licensed insurance agency and affiliate of Madrona Financial Services. Madrona Insurance Services and individual advisors affiliated with Madrona Insurance Services and Madrona Financial Services receives commissions on the sale of insurance products. Clients are not required to purchase insurance products recommended or to otherwise implement financial advice through Madrona affiliates. When we refer to preparation and filing of tax returns, tax returns are prepared and filed by our wholly-owned sister company Bauer Evans, Inc. P.S., a licensed certified public accounting firm. Madrona Financial Services, LLC is a registered investment adviser with the SEC. Our registration with the SEC or with any state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Madrona Financial & CPAs is a registered trade name used singly and collectively for the affiliated entities Madrona Financial Services, LLC (“Madrona”) and Bauer Evans, Inc., P.C. (“Bauer Evans”). Investment advisory services are provided through Madrona. CPA services are provided through Bauer Evans. While it's essential to optimize your tax situation, it's equally important to comply with tax laws and regulations. Always ensure that your tax-saving strategies are legal and appropriate for your financial situation.

Danielle is an Investment Advisor Representative, Certified Financial Fiduciary®, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® based out of Madrona Financial’s Park City, Utah office. With over a decade of experience in the financial services industry, she executes all aspects of financial planning: investments, alternatives, structured products, insurance, retirement planning, social security, taxation, estate, and legacy planning. Danielle is a nationally recognized advisor with a published training series, Back to Basics, and has been featured on national television on CNBC, ABC, FOX, and PBS. As a former competitive soccer player, Danielle enjoys running and pilates. Her husband, Will, graduated from the Air Force Academy as captain of the Lacrosse team and has gone on to be an H-60 Blackhawk helicopter and Delta pilot. Together, they enjoy hiking, biking, and skiing with their two daughters, Claire and Everly. As a family, they root for their favorite football teams, the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos!

Danielle Meister, CFF, CDFA® – Wealth Advisor

Danielle is an Investment Advisor Representative, Certified Financial Fiduciary®, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® based out of Madrona Financial’s Park City, Utah office. With over a decade of experience in the financial services industry, she executes all aspects of financial planning: investments, alternatives, structured products, insurance, retirement planning, social security, taxation, estate, and legacy planning. Danielle is a nationally recognized advisor with a published training series, Back to Basics, and has been featured on national television on CNBC, ABC, FOX, and PBS. As a former competitive soccer player, Danielle enjoys running and pilates. Her husband, Will, graduated from the Air Force Academy as captain of the Lacrosse team and has gone on to be an H-60 Blackhawk helicopter and Delta pilot. Together, they enjoy hiking, biking, and skiing with their two daughters, Claire and Everly. As a family, they root for their favorite football teams, the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos!

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