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Forgotten retirement accounts add up—old 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and pensions left behind after job changes, mergers, or a move. If you’re comparing forgotten retirement accounts apps, you don’t need a dozen tools. You need a short, calm list that separates finders, rollover helpers, and dashboards.
We publish Asset Recovery: Lost 401k, so it leads this list. The other three are fair, useful options with different jobs.
Quick comparison
Asset Recovery: Lost 401k — Free guided links to DOL / PBGC; claim tips; no SSN in-app.
Empower — Free dashboard for tracking and planning once accounts are visible.
Capitalize — Free (partner IRA) rollover help when you know the account.
Beagle — Paid search + management (~$4.99/mo starter; verify).
1. Asset Recovery: Lost 401k
Asset Recovery: Lost 401k focuses on forgotten workplace retirement money. You note former employers and employment years, then open official U.S. search tools—DOL Retirement Savings Lost and Found, Abandoned Plan Search, and PBGC unclaimed benefits—in your browser.
The app keeps education and claim guidance nearby so you’re not guessing what “rollover” or “plan administrator” means. We don’t hold your money, collect your SSN, or charge a finder’s fee. Free on iOS and Android.
Best for: people who want official paths first, on a phone they already use.
2. Empower
Empower’s free app is a retirement cockpit: link accounts, see allocation, run scenarios, and explore products like IRAs. It’s calm and feature-rich for ongoing planning.
For forgotten accounts you can’t see yet, you’ll still need a finder or official database first—then Empower becomes more useful.
3. Capitalize
Capitalize is widely used for consolidating old 401(k)s into an IRA. When you’re rolling into a partner provider, the service is typically free to you (they earn partner referrals). Non-partner destinations may require Capitalize Plus—check current fees on their site.
Pair it with a discovery step: Capitalize is strongest once you know which plan you’re moving, not when you only remember “I worked somewhere in 2014.”
4. Beagle
Beagle targets job-hoppers who suspect multiple forgotten accounts and want someone to dig. Expect a subscription (commonly advertised from about $4.99/month; verify before you start a trial) and read reviews about billing and data requirements.
It’s a fit if free registries and employer calls aren’t enough and you prefer a paid concierge. It’s optional if a guided official-search app already covers your needs.
How to choose
Match the tool to the stage: locate with official-linked apps like Lost 401k, move with Capitalize or your IRA provider, manage with Empower, and only pay Beagle-style services when the free path is exhausted.
See Asset Recovery: Lost 401k on our app page—then open the official searches when you’re ready.
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