Check your bank and brokerage statements first

The fastest way to know if you have an IRA is to look at your bank and investment account statements. An IRA will show up as a separate account with a name like "Traditional IRA," "Roth IRA," or "SEP IRA" — not mixed in with your regular checking or savings. If you opened one yourself, you'll have received paperwork from the bank or brokerage when you created it, and statements arrive monthly or quarterly.

If you're not sure where to look, start with the financial institutions you use most often. Log into your online banking portal or call the customer service number on the back of your debit card. Ask directly: "Do I have any retirement accounts with you?" They can tell you in minutes. If you've moved banks or changed email addresses over the years, you might have an old account you've forgotten about — this step catches those.

Search your email for IRA confirmation documents

When you open an IRA, the bank or brokerage sends you a confirmation email with account details and a document called a "Custodial Agreement" or "Account Agreement." Search your email inbox (including spam and archived folders) for keywords like "IRA," "retirement account," "custodian," or the names of banks and brokerages you've used. Look back at least five to ten years if you think you might have opened one a while ago.

The confirmation email usually includes your account number, the type of IRA, and the institution holding it. If you find one, you now know exactly where your account is and can contact that institution to check the current balance and status. Even if the account has been inactive for years, it still exists and may have money in it.

Check your tax returns and IRA contribution records

If you've made contributions to an IRA, those show up on your federal tax return. Look at your Form 1040 from the past few years — if you claimed an IRA deduction or reported IRA income, you have an account somewhere. The IRS also tracks IRA contributions, so your tax records are a reliable paper trail.

You can also request a transcript of your tax return from the IRS by visiting irs.gov or calling 1-800-829-1040. The transcript will show any IRA-related entries. If you filed jointly with a spouse, check both returns — either of you might have opened an account.

Look for old employer retirement plans that rolled into an IRA

Many people have IRAs without realizing it because they rolled money from a 401(k) or similar workplace plan into an IRA when they changed jobs. If you've worked for multiple employers, you may have had a workplace retirement plan that was automatically converted to an IRA or that you moved yourself. Check any paperwork from previous employers about what happened to your retirement savings when you left.

Contact your former employers' human resources or benefits departments and ask what happened to your retirement account balance. They can tell you whether it was rolled into an IRA and, if so, which institution is holding it. Some employers keep records for many years, even after you've left.

Use the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits

If you think you have an IRA but can't find it, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) runs a database called BrokerCheck that lists accounts at registered brokerages. You can search by your name at brokercheck.finra.org. This won't find accounts at banks, but it will find IRAs held at investment firms.

You can also contact the IRS directly. Call 1-800-829-1040 and ask whether they have any record of IRA contributions under your Social Security number. The IRS doesn't manage the accounts themselves, but they track contributions and can confirm whether you've opened one.

Ask a former spouse or family member

If you're looking for an IRA that was opened many years ago, a former spouse, adult child, or family member who handled finances with you might remember where it was opened. They may also have old statements or paperwork. If you've been through a divorce, your divorce decree might list retirement accounts as part of the settlement — check that document.

If you inherited an IRA from a parent or relative, the executor of their estate or the institution holding the account should have contacted you. If you think this happened but you're not sure, contact the last known financial institutions of the person who passed away.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your bank and brokerage accounts online or call customer service to ask directly whether you have an IRA with them.
  • Search your email going back several years for account confirmation documents or statements from banks and investment firms.
  • Review your federal tax returns from the past five to ten years — IRA contributions and withdrawals show up on Form 1040.
  • If you changed jobs, contact your former employers to find out whether a workplace retirement plan was rolled into an IRA.
  • Use FINRA BrokerCheck at brokercheck.finra.org to search for IRAs held at investment firms, or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm contributions under your name.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I opened an IRA decades ago and haven't touched it?

The account still exists and is still yours, even if you haven't made a deposit or withdrawal in years. Contact the institution where you opened it — they have records going back decades. If the account has been inactive, you may need to reactivate it or update your contact information, but the money (if any) remains there.

Can I have an IRA and not know about it?

Yes, if someone else opened one in your name or if you inherited one from a family member. This is rare but possible. If you suspect this, contact the IRS or ask the financial institutions you use whether any accounts exist under your Social Security number.

What if the bank or brokerage where I opened my IRA no longer exists?

Your account was likely transferred to another institution when the original one closed or was acquired. Contact the FDIC (for bank IRAs) at 1-877-275-3342 or FINRA (for brokerage IRAs) at brokercheck.finra.org to find out where your account was moved.

Do I need to do anything if I find an old IRA I forgot about?

Contact the institution holding it to confirm the balance and check whether you owe any required minimum distributions (RMDs) if you're over 73. If you haven't been taking RMDs when required, you may owe a penalty, but the institution can help you catch up.

What if I think I have an IRA but can't find any proof?

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and provide your Social Security number. They can confirm whether contributions were reported under your name. If they have a record, you know an account exists somewhere, and you can search more specifically based on that information.