Where to look for an IRA you opened but may have forgotten about

If you opened an IRA years ago and can't remember where, start by checking your own records first, then contact the financial institutions where you've banked or invested. Most IRAs sit with one of three types of places: a bank (like Wells Fargo or your local credit union), a brokerage firm (like Fidelity, Vanguard, or Charles Schwab), or an employer if you have a SIMPLE IRA or SEP IRA through work. The account is still yours and still growing—you just need to locate which institution holds it.

The IRS does not maintain a central registry of IRAs, so there's no single government database to search. You have to do the legwork yourself, but the process is straightforward if you follow it step by step.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your own files first: old statements, tax returns, and mail from financial institutions often show IRA account numbers and where the account lives.
  • Contact banks and brokerages where you've done business, because IRAs often sit dormant at institutions you haven't used in years.
  • Ask your current or former employer about SIMPLE IRAs or SEP IRAs, since those are employer-sponsored and the company may have records even if you don't.
  • If you find an account but can't access it online, call the institution's customer service line and be ready to verify your identity with a Social Security number and date of birth.

Search your own paperwork and email first

Before you contact any institution, spend 30 minutes looking through what you already have. Pull out old tax returns from the past five to ten years—if you contributed to an IRA, you may have claimed a deduction, and the return will show which institution held it. Look for old statements in filing cabinets, desk drawers, or email folders. Search your email inbox for keywords like "IRA," "retirement account," or the names of banks and brokerages you've used.

Check your mail from the past few years. Financial institutions send annual statements, tax forms (like the 1099-R), and account maintenance notices to your address on file. Even if you didn't open the mail, the envelope often shows the sender's name and your account number. If you moved, you may have missed statements—contact your post office to see if they have forwarding information for mail from financial companies.

Call or visit banks where you've had accounts

Start with any bank where you currently have a checking or savings account, then move to banks where you've had accounts in the past. Call the customer service number on the back of an old debit card, or visit a branch in person with a photo ID. Tell them you're looking for an IRA account in your name and provide your Social Security number. They can search their records even if you don't remember the account number.

If you opened an IRA at a local credit union, call or visit that credit union directly. Credit unions often keep records for many years, even for inactive accounts. Be specific about the timeframe—tell them roughly when you think you opened the account, which helps narrow the search.

Contact brokerages and investment firms

If you've ever invested in stocks, mutual funds, or bonds, you may have opened an IRA with a brokerage. The largest firms—Fidelity, Vanguard, Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, and TD Ameritrade—hold millions of IRAs. Call their main customer service line and ask if you have an account. You'll need to verify your identity with your Social Security number and date of birth.

Don't assume you'd remember opening an account with a particular firm. Many people open IRAs through workplace retirement plan providers, financial advisors, or online platforms and forget the details years later. If you've ever worked with a financial advisor or used a robo-advisor app, contact them and ask whether they set up an IRA for you.

Check with your employer about workplace IRAs

If you work or have worked for a small business, ask your HR department or payroll administrator whether the company offers a SIMPLE IRA or SEP IRA. These are employer-sponsored retirement plans, and your employer has records of who participates. Even if you left the job years ago, the company may still have your account information on file.

Contact the HR or benefits department at any company where you've worked in the past 10 to 15 years. Provide your full name, Social Security number, and the dates you worked there. They can tell you whether you had a workplace IRA and which financial institution holds it. If the company has closed or merged, try calling the main number and asking for the benefits or payroll department.

Use the FINRA BrokerCheck tool to search for lost accounts

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) runs a free public database called BrokerCheck. You can search by your name to see if you have accounts registered with any brokerage firm that's regulated by FINRA. Visit brokercheck.finra.org, click "Search for a Broker or Firm," and enter your name. The results will show any brokerage accounts associated with you, including IRAs held at those firms.

This tool searches only brokerages, not banks. If your IRA is at a bank, you won't find it here. But if you've ever invested through a brokerage—even a small account you forgot about—BrokerCheck can point you in the right direction.

What to do once you find your account

Once you locate your IRA, contact the institution and ask for your current balance and account statements. If you can access the account online, create a login or reset your password. If you can't access it online, call customer service and ask them to mail you a statement or set up online access for you.

Review the account to understand what's in it—cash, stocks, mutual funds, or a mix. Check whether the account is still active or if it's been flagged as dormant. Some institutions move inactive accounts to a holding status after several years of no activity, but the money is still yours. Ask the institution what you need to do to reactivate it if that's the case. If you've moved or changed your phone number, update your contact information so you receive future statements and tax forms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can't remember which bank or brokerage I used?

Start with institutions where you know you've had other accounts—checking, savings, or investment accounts. Call each one and ask if they have an IRA in your name. If that doesn't work, try the FINRA BrokerCheck tool for brokerages. You can also contact your state's unclaimed property program, which holds money from abandoned accounts.

Can I find an IRA if I've moved or changed my name?

Yes, but you'll need to verify your identity. When you call an institution, have your Social Security number and date of birth ready. If you changed your name, tell the institution your previous name as well. They can search under either name and confirm the account is yours.

What if the institution says they have no record of my account?

The account may have been transferred to another firm, closed, or moved to your state's unclaimed property program if it was inactive for many years. Ask the institution if they have any record of a transfer. You can also search your state's unclaimed property database at unclaimed.org.

Do I owe taxes or penalties if I find an old IRA I forgot about?

Not simply for finding it. However, if you're over age 73 and have not taken required minimum distributions (RMDs) from a traditional IRA, you may owe a penalty on the amount you should have withdrawn. Contact the institution or a tax professional once you locate the account to understand your situation.

What happens if I find multiple IRAs?

You can have more than one IRA, and each one is separate. You'll need to track contributions and withdrawals across all of them. If you have multiple traditional IRAs, the IRS requires you to calculate required minimum distributions based on the combined balance of all your traditional IRAs, even though you can take the distribution from just one account.