Since your 401(k) is tied to your employer, when you quit your job, you won’t be able to contribute to it anymore. But the money already in the account is still yours, and it can usually just stay put in that account for as long as you want — with a couple of exceptions.

Where can I find an old 401k from my previous employer?

If you’re unable to find an old statement, you still may be able to find the administrator by searching for the retirement plan’s tax return, known as Form 5500. You can find a 5500s by the searching the name of your former employer at If you locate a Form 5500 for an old plan, it should have the contact information on it.

Is it okay to use an old 401k statement?

Use an Old 401 (k) Plan Statement Sometimes companies, like old jobs, fade away and you can’t find them. That’s okay, as long as you have an old account statement. With that document, the plan administrator (the investment/financial company that managed your 401 (k) investments) can point you to where your money wound up – and who holds it now.

What should I do with my 401k If I quit my job?

Whether you leave involuntarily, quit to start a new job, or see yourself switching jobs several times in the next few years, you need a plan for your (soon-to-be) former employer’s retirement savings plan. That’s your 401 (k), 457 or 403 (b) . One wrong move can cost a big chunk of your savings, so you need to be ready to take the right steps.

What to do if you lose track of your 401k?

If you’ve lost track of an old 401 (k) retirement account that you opened with a previous employer, learn what you can do to find and retrieve your money. If at one point, you quit a job, got fired, or were let go due to your company shutting down, you may have left behind earned funds invested in a 401 (k)- retirement account.