How Can I Find Lost Pensions in the UK?
Find lost pensions (workplace savings with tax relief) using the free Pension Tracing Service. Learn how to trace old pension pots, what details you need, and when not to consolidate typical £10k–£50k pots in 2025/26.
It does not provide personalised financial advice and does not consider your full financial circumstances.
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Why Read This Guide?
£31 billion is sitting in lost pensions across the UK. This guide shows you exactly how to find yours.
Step-by-step process for tracking down old workplace pensions
Official government tools including the free Pension Tracing Service
Consolidation guidance: when it makes sense and when to leave them separate
💡 Pro tip: Once you've found your pensions, use our Retirement Goal Calculator to see if your total savings are on track for your retirement goals.
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), there's approximately £31.1 billion sitting in around 3.3 million lost or forgotten pension pots across the UK.
With people changing jobs more frequently than ever, it's easy to lose track of workplace pensions from years ago. If you've switched employers even a few times, you might have old pensions waiting to be found.
You might have a lost pension if:
- You've changed jobs several times and didn't consolidate old workplace pensions
- You've moved house and the pension provider doesn't have your current address
- The company you worked for has closed, merged, or changed names
- You enrolled in auto-enrolment but never checked the details
- You inherited a pension from a deceased relative but haven't claimed it
Having the right information makes the search much easier. Try to collect:
- Names of all your previous employers
- Approximate dates you worked there
- Any old payslips or pension statements
- Previous addresses (pension providers may still have old contact details)
- National Insurance number
- Any pension provider names you remember
Step 1: Use the Pension Tracing Service
The government's free Pension Tracing Service is the official way to find contact details for lost pensions.
How it works:
- Go to gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details
- Enter the name of your old employer or pension scheme
- You'll get contact details for the pension administrator
- Contact them directly to claim your pension
Step 2: Check Old Paperwork
Dig through old files, emails, and documents for:
- Pension statements
- Welcome letters from pension providers
- Old payslips showing pension deductions
- P60s or P45s
Step 3: Contact Former Employers
If you can't find paperwork, reach out to your old employer's HR department. Even if the company has changed hands, they may have records.
Template message:
"I worked for [Company Name] between [dates] and believe I had a workplace pension. Could you provide details of the pension scheme and administrator?"
Step 4: Use MoneyHelper
MoneyHelper (backed by government) offers free guidance and tools to help you track down pensions.
Visit MoneyHelperStep 5: Wait for the Pensions Dashboard
The government is building a Pensions Dashboard that will let you see all your pensions in one place. It's expected to launch in stages throughout 2025–2026.
Coming Soon
Once live, you'll be able to log in with your government Gateway ID and see all your pension pots automatically.
Once you've located an old pension, you have several options:
1. Leave it where it is
If it's performing well and has low fees, you might not need to move it.
2. Consolidate into one pot
Combining multiple pensions can make them easier to manage and potentially reduce fees. But check for exit penalties or loss of benefits first.
3. Transfer to your current workplace pension
This keeps everything in one place and simplifies tracking. Check if your current provider accepts transfers.
Warning signs of pension scams:
- Unsolicited contact (cold calls, texts, emails)
- High-pressure sales tactics or limited-time offers
- Promises of guaranteed high returns
- Offers to help you access your pension before age 55
- Requests for upfront fees
Only use the official Pension Tracing Service and regulated financial advisers. Check the FCA Register before dealing with anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Read GuideAbout the author
Melanie Reed is a fintech and product specialist with 13+ years' experience building mortgage, investment, savings and retirement tools at companies including Aviva, Lendinvest, Money Advice Trust and Luno. She develops calculators and content that simplify complex UK financial decisions, covering pensions, mortgages, tax-efficiency and long-term savings.
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Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Tax rules and allowances change regularly. Consider seeking regulated guidance for personalized advice on investment or pension decisions.