That Old Job May Still Owe You a Pension. Here Is How to Check for Free

Is there really pension money waiting for me?

Maybe. When a company shuts down a pension plan, some workers never claim the money they earned. Sometimes people move, change their name, or simply lose track of an old job from years ago.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is a federal agency that steps in with many of these plans. It keeps a public list of people who are owed pension money but have not collected it.

You can search that list yourself, for free, at PBGC.gov. There is no fee and no paid middleman needed.

Who ends up on the unclaimed pension list?

Often it is people who worked for a company that closed or ended its pension plan. If PBGC could not reach you at the time, your name may sit on the list.

This can happen if you left a job long ago and forgot the plan existed. It can also happen if the company mailed a notice to an old address.

You do not have to be retired yet to be owed money. The record stays until the person it belongs to is found.

Can I check for a parent or late relative?

Yes. If a parent or spouse passed away and you think they earned a pension, you can search their name too.

Sometimes a surviving family member is entitled to that benefit. Checking costs nothing, so it is worth a look if you are handling a loved one's affairs.

The search uses names, so have the correct spelling ready before you start.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost anything to search or claim?

No. The PBGC search and claim process are free. You never have to pay a company to find or collect your pension.

Do I have to be retired to be owed money?

No. Your name can be on the list even if you are not retired yet. The record stays until you are found.

Can I search for someone who has died?

Yes. You can search a late relative's name. A surviving family member may be entitled to the benefit.

Is PBGC a real government agency?

Yes. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is a federal agency. Its official site is PBGC.gov.