PBGC — Pension Benefits
Statutory term: Unclaimed Pension Benefits
Overview
Search for Unclaimed Property
This program provides a public search portal where you can look up unclaimed property.
Search Now →Key Statistics
Dormancy Periods
The dormancy period is how long property must be inactive before it is considered unclaimed and reported to the state.
| Property Type | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| pension_annuity | None | No dormancy period. ERISA preempts state escheatment laws (29 U.S.C. § 1144). Pension benefits held by PBGC never escheat to any state and remain available indefinitely until claimed by the participant or beneficiary. |
| lump_sum_benefit | None | No dormancy period. Lump sum benefits (available when plan terminated pre-2024 and value ≤ $5,000, or post-2024 and value ≤ $7,000) are held by PBGC indefinitely. No escheatment to state unclaimed property funds. |
| missing_participant_transfer | None | No dormancy period. Benefits transferred to PBGC under the Missing Participants Program (ERISA § 4050) are held indefinitely. PBGC actively searches for missing participants. |
ERISA federally preempts state unclaimed property/escheatment laws for pension plan assets (29 U.S.C. § 1144). Benefits held by PBGC never expire and never transfer to state unclaimed property funds. Individual benefits range from twelve cents to almost one million dollars. Benefits are paid as monthly annuities (straight-life, certain-and-continuous, or joint-and-survivor) or lump sums for de minimis amounts.
Finder / Helper Restrictions
Restriction Level: Strict
Solicitation Rules: PBGC explicitly warns that it never uses third parties to help participants get their benefits. The OIG has issued multiple fraud alerts (2012-1, 2017-01) about finder-fee scams targeting PBGC beneficiaries. Individuals posing as attorneys have attempted to obtain 25% finder fees from retirees.