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Account recovery

Recover access to your Vanguard 401(k)

Expected time to regain access: 1-3 days (online) to 7-10 days (mail) · Emergency phone: 1-800-523-1188 (Personal) / 1-800-523-1036 (RPS)

Important — workplace vs retail

Vanguard Personal Investor (my.vanguard.com, 1-800-523-1188) and Vanguard Retirement Plan Services (vanguard.com/retirementplans, 1-800-523-1036) are SEPARATE platforms with separate logins, separate password resets, separate security questions. Confirm which side your 401(k) is on before recovery.

1. Password reset

Start at: https://personal.vanguard.com/us/MyHome

  1. Go to vanguard.com → 'Log on' → 'Forgot user name or password'
  2. Enter SSN + DOB + ZIP code
  3. Security answers (mother's maiden name, etc.) required — if forgotten, call
  4. Reset link sent to email of record

2. 2FA lost / phone deactivated

  1. Vanguard 2FA reset requires phone-based identity verification: 1-800-523-1188
  2. Expect 10-15 minutes of identity questions
  3. If you fail verification: mail-based reset (5-7 business days)

3. Email of record is your old work email

  1. Vanguard requires the OLD email to confirm the change — if deactivated, that won't work
  2. Call 1-800-523-1188 to update email by phone after identity verification
  3. Alternative: mail a signed Letter of Direction to the address on the website (slowest path)

Already in?

Get your full rollover plan — $49

Now that you can see your balance, the next step is the rollover itself. nesthelm generates a custodian-specific plan with call script, transfer steps, and tax modeling. 30-day refund.

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Procedures verified against Vanguard documentation as of May 2026. Custodian processes change — confirm with their support team when you call.