Federal unclaimed funds sources.
State programs are the best-known source of unclaimed money, but they're far from the only one. The federal government and a handful of national agencies hold separate pools — and most people never check them.
Every federal source below has its own free, official search tool. We list the URL, what they cover, and who should check. None of these appear in state databases — if you only search your state, you'll miss all of them.
IRS — Unclaimed Tax Refunds
Official · FreeBillions in federal tax refunds go unclaimed every year — often because people moved and the check never reached them. The "Where's My Refund" tool is the official way to check.
- Who should check
- Federal tax refunds
- Types of funds
- Federal tax refund checks
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.
Official · FreeIf a former employer had a pension plan that was terminated, PBGC may be holding benefits under your name. The database is updated quarterly.
- Who should check
- Terminated private-sector pension plans
- Types of funds
- Unclaimed defined-benefit pension benefits
HUD — Does HUD Owe You a Refund?
Official · FreeIf you had an FHA-insured mortgage and paid it off or refinanced, you may be owed a partial refund of the upfront mortgage insurance premium.
- Who should check
- Former FHA-insured mortgage holders
- Types of funds
- FHA mortgage insurance refunds, Distributive share payments
VA Unclaimed Insurance Funds
Official · FreeUnclaimed insurance funds owed to current and former policyholders of VA life insurance programs (excluding SGLI/VGLI from 1965 onward), or their beneficiaries.
- Who should check
- VA life insurance policyholders and beneficiaries
- Types of funds
- VA insurance dividends, VA death awards, Premium refunds
FDIC Unclaimed Funds
Official · FreeFunds held by the FDIC from banks that were closed but customer deposits were never claimed. Rare but real — especially relevant after any bank failure in the last few years.
- Who should check
- Customers of failed banks
- Types of funds
- Unclaimed deposits from closed banks
NCUA — Failed Credit Union Funds
Official · FreeThe credit union equivalent of the FDIC search. If you had accounts at a credit union that was liquidated, your deposits may still be waiting.
- Who should check
- Members of liquidated federally-insured credit unions
- Types of funds
- Unclaimed credit union share accounts
DOL Retirement Savings Lost and Found
Official · FreeLaunched December 2024 under the SECURE 2.0 Act. The first centralized U.S. government database to search for lost or forgotten 401(k) and pension benefits from private-sector employers and unions.
- Who should check
- Private-sector 401(k) and pension plans
- Types of funds
- 401(k) balances, Defined-contribution plan balances, Pension benefits
National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits
Official · FreeA free registry of unclaimed retirement account balances run by PenChecks Trust. Employers voluntarily list former employees with unclaimed funds. Complements the DOL database.
- Who should check
- Former employer retirement plans (voluntary participation)
- Types of funds
- Unclaimed 401(k) balances, Pension contributions
NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator
Official · FreeSearch for life insurance policies or annuity contracts of a deceased loved one. Participating insurers check their records and contact you directly if you're the beneficiary. Over $13 billion returned since launch.
- Who should check
- U.S. life insurance policies and annuities of deceased persons
- Types of funds
- Life insurance death benefits, Annuity proceeds
ClassAction.org — Open Settlements
Official · FreeBrowse current class-action settlements you may qualify for. If you used a specific product, bank, or service during certain years, you may be eligible for payment — often without needing to prove damages.
- Who should check
- Active U.S. class-action settlements
- Types of funds
- Class-action settlement payments
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