How to Find a Lost Pension
Lost track of an old workplace or personal pension? Learn how to trace pension providers, what information can help with your search and what to consider once an old pension has been located.
Why can old pensions become difficult to trace?
Changing jobs, moving home or living overseas can make it easy to lose contact with a pension scheme built up many years ago.
An old workplace pension may have been established by an employer early in someone's career. Years later, the employer may have changed name, the pension scheme may have moved to another provider or correspondence may still be going to an old address.
Personal pensions can also become difficult to trace where records have been misplaced or the original provider has changed.
The starting point is usually identifying the pension scheme or provider and re-establishing contact.
Finding a pension does not mean it needs to be moved
Locating an old pension is about understanding what benefits are already held.
Once the pension has been identified, information about the scheme can help provide a clearer picture of the benefits, guarantees, retirement options and other features attached to it.
Information that may help trace an old pension
Even limited information about previous employment or pension arrangements can provide a useful starting point.
Previous Employers
Names of companies or organisations you previously worked for.
Employment Dates
Approximate dates showing when you worked for previous employers.
Previous Addresses
Old addresses may help when matching historic pension records.
Pension Providers
Any provider or scheme names remembered from previous arrangements.
Old Documents
Pension statements, employment documents or other historic records.
National Insurance Number
Your National Insurance number may be useful when contacting pension schemes and providers.
Find pension contact details
The UK Government provides a Pension Tracing Service that can help locate contact details for workplace and personal pension schemes.
The service can be particularly useful where you remember a previous employer or pension provider but no longer have the pension scheme's current contact information.
Rather than relying on a fixed set of search instructions, the official GOV.UK service provides the current tracing process.
Start your search using the official Government service
Search for contact details for a workplace or personal pension scheme using GOV.UK.
The service helps identify pension scheme contact information. It does not provide personal pension values or confirm pension entitlement.
Trace a Pension on GOV.UKWorkplace and personal pensions
Knowing how the pension was originally established can help narrow the search.
A pension linked to a previous employer
Workplace pensions are connected to employment. If you remember the employer but not the pension provider, the employer's name can be a useful starting point when using the Pension Tracing Service.
Historic workplace schemes may have changed name, administrator or provider since you were employed.
A pension arranged independently
A personal pension may have been established directly with a pension provider rather than through an employer.
Old statements, provider correspondence or other financial records may help identify the company or scheme involved.
What does the Pension Tracing Service actually find?
The tracing service helps reconnect people with pension schemes. It does not provide a valuation or determine what pension benefits are held.
Help find scheme contact details
The service can provide contact information for pension schemes associated with previous employers or personal pension providers.
You can then contact the relevant scheme or provider to establish whether pension benefits are held.
Provide your pension value or benefits
The tracing service does not tell you how much your pension is worth, whether you definitely have benefits in the scheme or what retirement options are available.
This information generally comes from the pension scheme or provider itself.
Finding the pension is only the first step
Once contact has been re-established with the pension scheme or provider, the next stage is understanding what benefits are held.
Pension arrangements can differ considerably. Some provide an investment fund, while others provide defined or guaranteed benefits based on the rules of the scheme.
Obtaining information about the existing arrangement can help build a clearer picture before any decisions about the pension are considered.
Pension Type
Is the arrangement defined contribution, defined benefit or another type of pension?
Current Benefits
What value or pension benefits does the scheme currently show?
Retirement Options
What options are available under the scheme and when can benefits potentially be accessed?
Guarantees
Are there guaranteed benefits, protected features or other valuable scheme provisions?
Death Benefits
What benefits may be available to beneficiaries under the existing arrangement?
Charges
What charges or costs apply to maintaining the existing pension arrangement?
What if you find more than one pension?
A career involving several employers can result in several different pension arrangements.
Having multiple pensions does not automatically mean that they need to be consolidated.
Different schemes can contain different benefits, guarantees, investment arrangements, charges and retirement options. Understanding these differences can be important before considering whether any change is appropriate.
Factors that may differ between pensions
- Type of pension arrangement
- Guaranteed or protected benefits
- Investment options
- Scheme charges and costs
- Retirement options
- Death benefits
- Transfer options and restrictions
What if you find an old UK pension while living overseas?
Moving abroad does not automatically mean an old UK pension needs to be transferred overseas.
Depending on the pension and the individual's circumstances, possibilities may include retaining the existing pension, consolidating eligible pensions into another UK arrangement or considering an overseas pension arrangement.
Tax residence, pension type, guarantees, currency, costs and future plans can all be relevant when understanding the available options.
Explore UK pension options when living abroad
Our QROPS Knowledge Centre explains overseas pension transfers and some of the alternatives that may be available when managing UK pensions internationally.
Take care when tracing or discussing old pensions
Searching for a forgotten pension can involve sharing personal and financial information. It is important to establish who you are dealing with before providing sensitive information or agreeing to pension-related services.
The UK Government provides an official Pension Tracing Service for finding pension scheme contact details. If someone approaches you unexpectedly about a pension, additional checks may be appropriate before taking further action.
Finding a Lost Pension FAQs
How can I find an old workplace pension?
The UK Government's Pension Tracing Service can help find contact details for workplace pension schemes. Information such as the name of a previous employer can help with the search.
Can the Pension Tracing Service tell me how much my pension is worth?
No. The service helps locate pension scheme contact details. The relevant pension scheme or provider can provide information about benefits or values held under the arrangement.
What information can help me trace a pension?
Previous employer names, approximate employment dates, old addresses, pension provider names and historic pension documents may all help when trying to identify an old pension.
What happens once I find an old pension?
Once the pension provider or scheme has been identified, you can contact them to establish whether benefits are held and request information about the pension arrangement.
Do I need to transfer an old pension once I find it?
No. Finding an old pension does not mean it needs to be transferred. Existing pensions can contain benefits, guarantees or other features that are important to understand before any changes are considered.
Can I trace a UK pension if I now live abroad?
Living overseas does not prevent someone from tracing an old UK pension. The Government's Pension Tracing Service can be used to locate scheme contact details.
What if I have several old pensions?
Each pension may have different benefits, guarantees, charges and retirement options. Having several pensions does not automatically mean that combining them is appropriate.
Found an old pension and want to understand what you have?
Once an old pension has been located, understanding the type of pension, benefits, guarantees and available options can help put it into the context of your wider retirement arrangements.