How to find a lost pension
It’s estimated that there are around 2.8 million lost or forgotten pension pots in the UK, worth an average of £9,500 each — that’s over £26.6 billion in total.
This isn’t all that surprising. The days of staying with one employer for 40 years and retiring with a gold carriage clock are long gone. Research shows the average worker will now have 11 different jobs over the course of their career.
As people switch roles more frequently, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep track of old pensions.
For expats, the issue is even more complicated — not only do we change jobs, but we often move between countries too.
Still, keeping on top of your old pensions is well worth the effort. That extra plan could be the difference between maintaining your desired lifestyle in retirement or falling short.
5 steps to tracking down a lost or old pension
1. Start with the paperwork
Most pension schemes will send you an annual statement — try to locate one. These statements contain the details you need to begin your search.
2. Make contact with the pension provider
If you have no paperwork but can remember which company administered your pension, get in touch with them and ask if they can locate your pension using their records.
You should have as many of the following details ready as possible:
- Plan or policy number
- Date of birth
- National Insurance number
Ask the following questions to get a thorough overview of your pension pot:
- What is the current value of the pension pot?
- How much has been contributed to the pension pot?
- What charges are you paying for the management of the pension pot?
- How much income is the pension pot likely to pay out at your chosen retirement date?
- What flexibility is there in terms of how retirement funds are accessed?
- How is the pension pot being invested and what options are there for making changes?
- Would there be any charges if you wanted to transfer the pension pot to another provider?
- What are the death benefits – in other words, how much money would be paid from the pension if you died?
- Is there a nominated recipient for any death benefits?
3. Ask the government for help
If you’re still struggling — perhaps because you can’t find contact details for the provider or they’ve merged or been taken over — you can contact the Pension Tracing Service.
This free service has a database of over 300,000 workplace and personal pension schemes.
You can call them on +44 (0)191 215 4491 or complete an online request form here.
4. Contact your previous employer(s)
If the Pension Tracing Service doesn’t uncover anything and you believe you had a pension with a former employer, contact that employer directly.
Have the following information ready:
- Your National Insurance number
- The date you started working there
- The date you stopped working there
5. Finally, you can pay for help
For £25, you can run a search on the Unclaimed Assets Register, which may help you find old pensions or other forgotten financial assets.
What to do once you’ve found your pension(s)?
Once you’ve successfully located your old pension pot or pots, you need to decide whether you want to roll them all together with your existing pension or keep them as separate pots.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find an old workplace pension?
Start by checking any old paperwork for pension statements. If that fails, contact your previous employer or the pension provider directly. The UK government also provides a free Pension Tracing Service to help you locate lost pensions.
What details do I need to provide to trace a pension?
You’ll typically need your National Insurance number, date of birth, and any policy or plan numbers you may have. Having information about your previous employers can also help when contacting providers.
What is the Pension Tracing Service?
The Pension Tracing Service is a free UK government service with a database of over 300,000 pension schemes. You can use it to locate contact details for your old pension providers, even if the scheme has changed names or merged.
Can I track pensions I had while living abroad?
Yes, but it’s more complicated. If you contributed to UK pensions while living abroad or as an expat, you can still trace them. For foreign pension schemes, you’ll need to contact the provider or a specialist financial adviser who deals with expat pensions.
Is it worth tracking down small pensions?
Absolutely. Even small pension pots can add up over time and might grow significantly depending on how they were invested. These extra funds could make a meaningful difference to your retirement income.
What happens if I never claim a pension?
If you never claim a pension, it usually remains with the provider, potentially growing in value. However, it may eventually be considered unclaimed. Some pension schemes may attempt to contact you, but it’s best to be proactive and trace them yourself.
Can I consolidate old pensions into one?
Yes, many people choose to transfer old pensions into one modern, flexible pension scheme for easier management and potentially lower fees. Just be sure to check for any exit charges or loss of valuable benefits before transferring.
Ross is a qualified Chartered Financial Planner and Pension Transfer Specialist.
He has been a cross-border financial adviser for 25 years and specialises in helping British expats manage their finances with clarity and peace of mind.
If you would like to have a no strings chat with him, please get in touch.
