How to Find Old Pensions

Lost track of an old pension? Learn how to trace, identify and recover forgotten pension pots in the UK using free tools and expert tips.

How to Find Old Pensions

If you’ve worked in several jobs over the years, chances are you’ve paid into more than one pension scheme. With auto-enrolment now standard and many people switching roles every few years, it’s easy to lose track of older pensions — especially those from previous employers.

But forgetting about old pensions could mean leaving thousands of pounds behind. Thankfully, it’s never too late to track them down. This guide will walk you through how to find old pensions, what information you need, and what to do once you've located them.

Why pensions get lost

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), over 2.8 million pension pots worth more than £26 billion are currently classed as “lost.” This typically happens when:

  • You’ve moved house and not updated your pension provider

  • You changed jobs and didn’t keep track of the old employer’s scheme

  • You were auto-enrolled but opted out and forgot

  • You opened a personal pension years ago and lost the paperwork

With the average person having around 11 jobs over a lifetime, it’s easy to see how pensions slip through the cracks.

Step 1: List your past employers

Start by writing down all the jobs you’ve had since you began working, including:

  • Employer names

  • Job titles and departments

  • Dates you started and left

  • Any documentation or payslips you may still have

It’s especially helpful if you can remember the address or location of your workplace and whether your employer offered a pension scheme.

Step 2: Contact your previous employers

Once you’ve listed your past jobs, try contacting the HR or payroll department of each employer to ask:

  • Whether they operated a workplace pension scheme

  • The name and contact details of the pension provider

  • Whether they still hold a record of your membership

If the company has closed, merged or changed name, Companies House or a quick online search can help you trace what happened to it.

Step 3: Use the Pension Tracing Service

If you’re unable to find pension details through your employer, the Pension Tracing Service is your next stop. This is a free government service that helps you find the contact details of pension schemes — including:

  • Workplace pensions

  • Personal pensions

  • Public sector pensions

  • Pension schemes from defunct companies

How to use it:

  • Go to www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details

  • Enter the name of your employer or pension provider

  • The tool will give you up-to-date contact details for the scheme administrator

Note: the service doesn’t tell you if you have money in the scheme — you’ll still need to contact the provider directly to confirm.

Step 4: Contact the pension provider

Once you have the provider’s details, get in touch and ask for:

  • Confirmation that you have a pension with them

  • Your current pension value

  • Details of the scheme type (e.g. defined contribution or final salary)

  • Any charges or benefits associated with the plan

  • Your options for continuing, combining or accessing it

You’ll usually need to provide:

  • Your full name (including previous names if applicable)

  • Your date of birth

  • Your National Insurance number

  • Your old address at the time you worked there

  • Your employment dates

This helps them match your record to their database.

Step 5: Consider consolidating old pensions

Once you’ve found one or more forgotten pensions, you might want to consider combining them into a single plan — known as pension consolidation. This can make it easier to manage your retirement savings and may reduce fees.

However, don’t rush into this. Some older pensions come with:

  • Guaranteed annuity rates

  • Protected tax-free lump sums

  • Defined benefit guarantees

Transferring could mean losing valuable benefits, so it’s wise to get advice if you’re unsure.

What if you still can’t find your pension?

If you’ve tried the above and still can’t locate a pension, try the following:

  • Check your old payslips or P60s for pension deductions

  • Look through your old paperwork or email accounts

  • Ask a trusted financial adviser for help tracing plans

  • Contact The Pensions Ombudsman or MoneyHelper if a provider isn’t responding

Keep in mind: pensions don’t expire, so if you’re owed money, it’s still yours — even if decades have passed.

Tips to avoid losing pensions in future

To prevent future pension pots going astray:

  • Notify providers when you move house or change email

  • Keep a record of all pension providers in a safe place

  • Register online with each provider’s platform to track performance

  • Consider using a pension consolidation service if appropriate

  • Request a pension statement annually for visibility

Final thoughts

Finding an old pension may take a bit of effort — but it could significantly boost your retirement income. With the right information and a few simple steps, you can trace what you’re owed and make your future finances clearer and more secure.

Whether you’re a few years from retirement or just starting to plan ahead, knowing where your pensions are — and what they’re worth — is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make.