In this Beagle 401(k) review, you’ll learn about the service that aids in finding all accounts under your Social Security number. While the service comes with some fees, it helps with more complete retirement savings planning because you know about all the funds in your name. Then you can consolidate them into a single account, and Beagle will manage the rollover process. Invest the money in exchange-traded funds using a robo-advisor account or investment advisor. You can also take loans from the funds, paying only interest back to yourself and a small fee to Beagle for facilitating it.
- Those who’ve moved around to various jobs
- People preparing for retirement
- People looking to roll all 401(k) accounts into one
- Using your Social Security number, find all 401(k)s in your name
- Consolidate all accounts into one Beagle account.
- Easy-to-navigate platform makes finding your funds simple
- Reduce 401(k) fees by consolidating accounts.
- Fees apply
- Taking a loan from your 401(k) includes a $99 fee
Beagle Financial Ratings at a Glance
Beagle Features: What Does It Offer?
Ready to learn more about Beagle and what the service offers? Here’s a breakdown of its various features and how they rate compared to similar services.
Online Platform
The online platform is easy to navigate. While the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits offers an online platform for connecting ex-employees to their retirement funds, all companies don’t use the service, and the it relies on the company to list your account on the registry. The same is true of the Department of Labor abandoned plan database.
Beagle is more user-friendly than the government-provided services and offers more complete search capabilities.
401(k) Account Fee Breakdown
A major perk of using the service is that it breaks down the fees you’re paying in your old 401(k) accounts and what you’re getting for those fees. It is not uncommon for 401(k) plans to charge fees, but some charge such high amounts that it cuts deeply into your earnings from the account or even the principal. If you haven’t had access to the funds, they likely are in low-yield investments, which might mean the account has been depreciating based on the fees you’ve unknowingly been paying.
Account Rollover
Once you’ve found all 401(k) accounts in your name, you can roll them all over into a Beagle account. The $3.99 monthly membership fee is lower than many advisor-led accounts and helps you avoid creating a retirement account on your own and figuring out how to manage it. Beagle offers robo-advisor accounts to help you reach your retirement goals based on your age, risk tolerance and saving requirements.
401(k) Loans
Once you’ve found all 401(k) accounts in your name, you can borrow against them. All interest goes back to you in your retirement account, which is why borrowing from the account is so beneficial. Depending on the loan size, you can save thousands of dollars in interest from other loan types. However, you’ll also pay a $2 monthly maintenance fee for the loan and $99 to Beagle for facilitating the loan. How much you can borrow from the account varies based on how much is in your account.
As the saying goes, you have to spend money to make money. You’ll pay a minimum of $19 to use Beagle to find your 401(k) accounts. If you find more than two accounts, the service could cost $25. While the fees are minimal when it comes to finding thousands of dollars in retirement savings in your name, it costs more than using the free searchable databases the government provides.
Beagle Fees
| Fee description | Fee |
| Monthly robo-advisor fee for accounts | $3.99 per month |
| Incoming wire transfers | $8 |
| Outgoing wire transfers | $25 |
| Paper statements | $5 |
Beagle Plans
| Plan | Fee | What you get |
| Starter | $19 for less than three accounts found or $25 for three to five accounts | Search for up to five 401(k) accounts with a one-time fee |
| Standard | $39 for less than three accounts found or $45 for three to five accounts | All Starter plan benefits plus access to 401(k) funds |
| Premium | $45 billed quarterly | Access to all Standard plan features plus:Access to a financial coachAccount monitoringOptimization for account holdings |
Overall, the online platform is easy to use and navigate for the average user. It provides immense benefits in locating funds that are otherwise lost. If you choose to use Beagle on an ongoing basis for rolling over and managing your accounts, you’ll need to do so via your web browser because there is no mobile app available. Users say that Beagle is a worthwhile service that helps them find their accounts and consolidate their fees into one account if they choose.
Users laud Beagle for its outstanding customer service. The staff is knowledgeable, easy to reach and helpful in making smart money moves once you find what accounts in your name are out there. The service responds to inquiries quickly to address concerns and assist customers. All support is handled via email and online forms, which is why the service gets 4 out of 5 stars on this front. Many online businesses now offer chat, which is highly convenient for users to resolve their inquiries immediately.
Beagle Financial vs. Competitors
Beagle has a few competitors that are similar like Capitalize and M1 Finance. They have many similarities in helping you find retirement accounts and consolidate them into one, though Beagle charges a small monthly fee for a robo-advisor account and Capitalize and M1 Finance do not. Beagle offers additional services for taking loans from your accounts to help you use them to their fullest.
Brokerage products and services are offered by M1 Finance, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of M1 Holdings, Inc. ✝Your free trial (a $30 value) begins the date you enroll in the M1 Plus subscription, and ends 3 months after (“Free Trial”). Upon the expiry of the Free Trial, your account is automatically billed a monthly subscription fee of $10 unless you elect annual billing of $95 or cancel your subscription under your Membership details in the M1 Platform
How Do I Open an Account With Beagle?
Opening a Beagle account is simple and doesn’t require that you first pay for the service to find a 401(k). You also don’t need to take out a loan from a 401(k) to open an account. It is a standalone service. You’ll pay $3.99 per month for the account.
Like opening any account, you’ll need to be ready with personally identifying information, such as your name, date of birth and Social Security number. But from there, it’s pretty straightforward to get started with an individual 401(k).
Is Beagle Safe And Secure?
Beagle has outstanding safety and security measures. It encrypts all data and uses secure connections. It won’t share your personal information outside of what you tell it to use to find your retirement accounts.
During your initial setup, you’ll create a password and have peace of mind that your data is stored behind a firewall in line with other banking and financial institutions.
One major setback to rolling over all your 401(k) accounts into one Beagle account is the portfolio options. You’ll only have access to low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While the investment option is low risk and provides decent returns in most scenarios, it doesn’t offer diversification. Its ongoing account fees are also higher than competitors, though a robo-advisor is included. The platform is easy to use and offers holistic access to all accounts in your name. All-in-all, it’s a great service for finding money that employers set aside in your name so you can consolidate accounts and prepare for the next step in your financial journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beagle 401(k) reputable?
Yes, Beagle uses industry best practices to protect personally identifiable information and encrypts its online interactions with you.
Is Beagle good for finding 401(k)s?
Yes, Beagle is a great service for finding your 401(k) accounts and learning about the fees you might be paying in those accounts. It also offers loans on those funds and individual 401(k) accounts for those seeking that service.
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About Rebekah Brately
Rebekah Brately is an investment writer passionate about helping people learn more about how to grow their wealth. She has more than 12 years of writing experience, focused on technology, travel, family and finance. Her work has been published in Benzinga, Hearst Bay Area, FreightWaves and Dallas Observer publications.