If you are trying to find unclaimed retirement benefits, three key documents can help:
A Deferred Vested Retirement Benefit letter confirms you earned a future pension from a defined benefit plan and typically includes the plan name and contact info. Look for monthly benefit language, that indicates a PBGC-insured plan.
A notice from the Social Security Administration (SSA), Form SSA-L99-C1, lists retirement plans you may have earned from past employers. While helpful for tracking down contacts, it does not guarantee you are still owed a benefit. If the notice refers to a defined benefit plan (noted by payment type) PBGC may be involved. Otherwise, contact the Department of Labor’s EBSA. For more information about the SSA notice, including how to access it, visit SSA.gov.
The Summary Plan Description (SPD) outlines plan details, including eligibility, benefit formulas, and payment options. Employers are required to provide these to participants. PBGC also has copies of SPDs from 1975–1991 for plans it insures and can provide them upon request.