A 2025 study by Capitalize estimates that Americans have forgotten and abandoned 31.9 million 401(k) accounts. The total retirement savings in those accounts: $2.1 trillion. That’s $2,100,000,000,000, to convey its full weight.
It gets to the heart of one of the greatest retirement red flags that no one talks about: Americans having too many accounts. Beyond the obvious risk of forgetting about the account — like the 31.9 accounts found by Capitalize — too many retirement accounts come with other risks, as well.
