Key Takeaways Over $2 trillion in assets is sitting in forgotten or left-behind 401(k) retirement accounts from employees who leave their jobs and leave their retirement savings behind. You might not think it’s possible, but that is the average balance in a forgotten or left behind 401(k) account. As of July 2025, there are nearly 32 million forgotten or untouched 401(k) accounts, collectively holding over $2 trillion. Many financial experts recommend consolidating retirement accounts to avoid extra fees, confusion, and the risk of missing out on important information. A direct rollover allows employees to move their balance from one retirement account to another without being taxed or penalized.