Discover Hidden Retirement Funds: A Guide for Merck Employees

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'Merck employees can greatly benefit from using resources like the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database and Treasury Hunt to recover unclaimed assets, so that no part of their hard-earned retirement savings is left behind.' — Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'Merck employees should take advantage of tools like the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database to track down unclaimed funds, so they can optimize their retirement savings potential.' — Tyson Mavar, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article, we will discuss:

1. The federal resources available to help locate lost or unclaimed retirement savings.

2. Key tools like the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database and other platforms to recover forgotten financial assets.

3. How retirees can track down unclaimed bank accounts, savings bonds, and pension plans to make the most of their retirement savings.

The Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database is a federal initiative aimed at helping individuals locate their lost pension and 401k funds. Launched by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), this tool is one of many available resources designed to assist Merck employees and others in recovering unclaimed financial assets.

Earlier this year, the public was granted access to  the DOL’s database . This platform is particularly useful for Merck employees who might have lost track of their 401k accounts due to job changes or relocations. Additionally, individuals can seek assistance from the nonprofit  Pension Rights Center . If your employer or pension plan falls under one of the 30 states covered by the U.S. Administration for Community Living's Pension Counseling and Information Program, the center will link you to free services.

For Merck employees looking to recover unclaimed benefits from closed private sector pension plans, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) offers an online platform at  pbgc.gov/workers-retirees . Even if the company that sponsored a pension plan has gone out of business, PBGC helps make certain that retirees continue to receive their benefits.

A searchable database for unclaimed funds across 49 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico is available at  missingmoney.com . Managed by the National Association of State Treasurers, this website aids in locating various unclaimed assets, including uncashed checks from banks, businesses, and local governments, dormant brokerage accounts, and even the contents of unclaimed safe-deposit boxes. The website also provides direct access to the Hawaii-specific register for residents with assets in the state.

Additionally, Merck employees can locate U.S. savings bonds or other treasury securities that may have gone unpaid by visiting  treasuryhunt.gov . This tool, managed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, allows individuals to search for unpaid bonds or interest payments by entering their Social Security number, full name, and state. It may be particularly helpful for Merck employees who may have inherited or forgotten about savings bonds purchased years ago. By entering your full name, state, and Social Security number, you can find out if you are eligible for any unclaimed funds. The federal government is dedicated to reuniting people with their unclaimed financial assets, and this service plays a significant role in that mission.

The Department of Labor's  Workers Owed Wages website  is another critical resource for those seeking back wages that might have been left unpaid. If you haven’t collected any unpaid wages, you can file a claim within three years.

Lastly, if you have funds trapped in bank or credit union failures, you may be able to retrieve them. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) tracks  unclaimed deposits from closed banks , and the  National Credit Union Administration’s website  lists funds left behind by bankrupt credit unions, which can be reclaimed by their rightful owners.

For more detailed instructions on locating and recovering unclaimed assets, visit  aarp.org/unclaimed . These resources are invaluable in making certain that all funds, regardless of size, are successfully tracked down.

Learn how to recover forgotten assets like pension plans, unclaimed retirement savings, and dormant bank accounts. Discover where to search for unclaimed savings bonds, misplaced 401ks, and uncashed checks. To track down hidden money you might not even know you have, start with the DOL's recently launched Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database and other platforms like treasuryhunt.gov and missingmoney.com. Don’t miss out on potential retirement savings—uncover your hidden funds and make sure you are saving as much as possible for the future.

Unclaimed retirement savings are much like forgotten treasures—similar to finding valuable artifacts tucked away in an old attic. Lost 401ks, pension plans, uncashed checks, and dormant savings bonds can bolster your financial future, just like rare antiques or mementos discovered in a dusty corner. Just as locating a long-lost family heirloom can bring joy and value, using tools like the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database or missingmoney.com will help you uncover these assets and make certain every dollar is used effectively for your retirement.

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Sources:

1. U.S. Department of Labor.  'Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database.'  U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) , 27 Dec. 2024,  https://lostandfound.dol.gov/?utm_source=chatgpt.com .

2. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).  'Find Unclaimed Retirement Benefits.'  Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation , ongoing updates,  https://www.pbgc.gov/wr/find-unclaimed-retirement-benefits?utm_source=chatgpt.com .

3. National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA).  'MissingMoney.com.'  National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators , ongoing updates,  https://missingmoney.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com .

4. U.S. Department of the Treasury.  'Treasury Hunt.'  U.S. Department of the Treasury , ongoing updates,  https://treasurydirect.gov/savings-bonds/treasury-hunt/?utm_source=chatgpt.com .

5. AARP.  'Show Me the Money: How to Find Unclaimed Assets.'  AARP , May 2025,  https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/how-to-find-unclaimed-assets/?utm_source=chatgpt.com .