How to find old pensions

On average, we’ll have 11 different jobs over the course of our working lives, meaning we’ll likely build up 11 different pension pots in the process.

It’s no wonder that some of us are struggling to keep tabs on them all: research by the Pensions Policy Institute shows that there are around 3.3 million pension pots that are considered as 'lost', containing an average of around £9,500 per pot. 

The value of these lost pensions stands at £31.1bn.

Here we explain how to track down lost pension pots, and why keeping tabs on your retirement savings should soon become much easier.

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How can you 'lose' a pension?

There are several reasons why you might lose track of a pension:

• Changing jobs: You'll likely accumulate multiple pensions as you move jobs, and it can be easy to lose track of where they're held.
• Moving house: If you've moved, it's possible that some pension schemes no longer have the correct address for you, which could mean you're no longer receiving annual pension statements.
• Losing details: Many pension schemes now give you the option to go paperless, but it's still possible to lose track of emails or forget login details for pension company websites.

How do I track down a lost pension?

Start by making a list of the employers you've worked for in the past, and check if you have pension paperwork for each of them.

Most pension schemes must send you a statement each year, but if you don't have one or can't find it, contact the relevant employer or the pension company that manages the scheme. 

If you're going straight to the pension company, you'll need the plan number, your date of birth, your National Insurance number and when the plan was set up. Employer schemes will also need to know when you joined and left the company pension scheme. 

Make sure the information the scheme holds on you is up to date - including your contact details and details of who your pension should go to in the event of your death. 

How does the pension tracing service work?

If you're not able to find the contact details for a previous employer or pension provider, you can use the government's free pension tracing service.

You simply need to enter the name of an employer or pension provider.

This will confirm the correct contact details but won't tell you whether you have a pension with that scheme, or how much it's worth.

If you can't use the online service you can call the pension tracing service on 0800 731 0193. 

If you're struggling to track down a defined benefit or final salary scheme, it's worth checking the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) website. The PPF steps in to pay pension benefits where an employer is no longer to meet its obligations. 

Other tracing services for lost pensions

There are a range of private tracing services that can help you with a search for lost pensions. 

These services aren't all the same. Some are designed primarily to help you find old pensions, while others will offer to consolidate your pots, check whether your pension has valuable benefits that you could lose if you transfer it, or provide regulated financial advice as part of the process.

This table shows the main pension tracing services and how they work in practice. Because features and charges can change, make sure you review the latest terms before using.  

What happens if my pension provider has changed?

If you're struggling to find your pension provider's contact details, it may be because they have been taken over, changed their name, or merged with another provider.

The Association of British Insurers lists who to contact if this is the case.

The database is free to search, but you will need to know the name of the provider your pensions were with.

What are pensions dashboards?

Pensions dashboards are designed to be a one-stop shop for useful information about your retirement savings.

The idea is that you’ll be able to see up-to-date information about all of your private pensions in one place online, or via an app. You'll also be able to see how much state pension you can expect to receive. 

Ultimately, savers should be able to get a clear view not just of how many pensions they have - but how much is in them, and how much they're paying in charges.

Around 52 million UK savers will have access to dashboards featuring roughly 130 million pensions – supplied by more than 40,000 separate private, public and state schemes.

The pension dashboard initiative was first unveiled in 2016, but the scheme has been hit by repeated delays - and dashboards are now expected to launch in early 2027 at the earliest. 

• Find out more: ​pensions dashboards - 5 key questions answered​​​

How to organise your pensions

Here are some simple steps you can take to get on top of your retirement savings:

1. Familiarise yourself with the basics

Most pension schemes must send you a statement each year, but if you don’t think you’ve had one, or can’t find it, ask your provider. Also make sure any online logins still work.

2. Update your details

The onus is on you to tell pension companies of any changes in personal circumstances. If you haven’t updated your address since moving, your pension statements may be going to the wrong place.

3. Nominate a beneficiary

Make sure you have nominated who your pension should go to when you die.  This can usually be done easily online via your pension provider’s website. 

It's an important bit of admin because defined contribution pensions are not part of your estate, so aren't covered by your will.

If you don’t nominate beneficiaries on all your pensions, this could create a headache for the scheme trustees – at whose discretion the money will be paid out – and for the person you'd intended to receive the money.