House moves. Career moves. Busy families. Life changes fast and it’s easy to lose track of your pension pots. Pension providers will send you a statement every year, but if you have moved house and not told them, it’s unlikely that you will have received them.
Finding a lost pension may be as easy as making sure your pension providers have your correct address. Otherwise, there are a few things you can do.
Trace a lost pension
- If you can remember the provider of your lost pension, call them and they will help you directly.
- If you don’t remember the provider, but do know who you worked for when you paid into the pension, call the company.
- If you don’t know the details of either the provider or the company associated with your lost pension, contact the Pension Tracing Service who may be able to help and may charge for this.
The Pension Tracing Service
Call 0345 6002 537
Visit www.gov.uk/find-lost-pension
Consolidate your pensions
If you have more than one pension pot you might want to consider consolidating all of your pots into one for simplicity. You may also benefit from lower charges by doing this.
It is important to remember that you might not benefit from transferring your pensions all into one place. Your existing pension pots could already be the most appropriate solution for you. You may need to speak to an Independent Financial Advisor to help you assess this and consolidate if this is the best option for you. If your scheme or company has signed up for this service, you can contact us here.
Useful links
Pension Scams: ScamSmart - Avoid investment and pension scams | FCA
MoneyHelper: Free and impartial help with money, backed by the government | MoneyHelper
State Pension: Find out more about the State Pension | GOV.UK
Pension Tracing Service: Use this service to find contact details to search for a lost pension - GOV.UK
Pensions Ombudsman: Homepage | The Pensions Ombudsman (pensions-ombudsman.org.uk)
The Pensions Regulator: Workplace pensions law - auto enrolment | The Pensions Regulator