Retirement often means reviewing finances more carefully. During that process, people sometimes discover that an old shareholding or investment is no longer easy to locate.

A previous employer, an old address, a forgotten dividend statement or years of changing financial records can make an investment difficult to trace.

If you're investigating lost shares in Australia, retirement can be a good opportunity to review your historical investments.

Start With Your Financial History

Before assuming an investment is gone, gather information from your past.

Look for:

• Old shareholding statements
• Dividend statements
• Tax records
• Previous addresses
• Previous employers
• Shareholder numbers
• Old investment correspondence
• Records connected with previous names

A single document can sometimes provide information that helps connect an old investment with your current details.

Check Official Unclaimed-Money Records

The Australian Government provides a free search for unclaimed money, including certain unclaimed shares and investments recorded by ASIC.

If you find a potential record, you may need documentation demonstrating your identity and ownership before an eligible claim can proceed.

Review Old Investments Carefully

Don't focus only on the value of an investment.