Your mission: start the search
Somewhere in your employment history, a pension could be waiting to be found. Retrace your steps and uncover the clues that could lead you back to it.
You do not need every detail to begin. One clue could be enough to crack the case.
Ready, Agent?
Follow the checkpoints below.
Every successful search begins with the right intelligence. Download your Licence To Trace Mission Checklist for the clues, information and steps you need to track down your old pension pots.
The case for tracing
Changing jobs, moving home or forgetting to update your details can be enough for a pension trail to go cold.
3.3 million
lost or forgotten pots
£31.1 billion
estimated total value
Your investigation starts here
You do not need every detail to begin. Work through these six checkpoints using whatever you remember to retrace your employment history, follow the pension trail and start your search.
Checkpoint 1: Retrace your career trail
List every organisation you have worked for and roughly when. Old CVs, payslips, P45s and P60s could provide the clues you need.
Checkpoint 2: Search the archives
Investigate old paperwork, emails and online accounts for pension statements, policy numbers or provider names. Remember to include any personal pensions too.
Checkpoint 3: Verify your intelligence
Check whether every pension provider has your current name, address and contact details. Update anything that is out of date and request a current statement.
Checkpoint 4: Investigate the gaps
Compare your employment history with the pensions you know about. If something is missing, contact your former employer or use the Government’s Pension Tracing Service.
Checkpoint 5: Make contact
Ask the provider whether they hold a pension in your name. Have your National Insurance number, previous addresses and approximate employment dates ready.
Checkpoint 6: Secure your findings
Pension located? Request a current statement, update your details and keep the information somewhere safe. Then follow every remaining lead before closing the case.
Trusted support
You do not have to continue the investigation alone. Whether you need help tracing an old pension, understanding your options or checking that a firm is authorised, these trusted organisations can help.
Explore the services below to find the right support for your search.
A government service designed to help you find contact details for old workplace or personal pension schemes. You’ll need the name of an employer or a pension provider to use it. This service can’t tell you whether you have a pension, or what its value is.
Beware: there is a commercial organisation called The Pension Tracing Service, which isn’t linked to the government service.
A government service from MoneyHelper that offers free, impartial guidance about your defined contribution (DC) pension options. If you’re aged 50 or over you can get a free appointment with a Pension Wise adviser to help you understand the options you have for taking retirement benefits. They can talk you through all the options and explain the good and bad things about each one. This isn’t financial advice, though. Pension Wise won’t recommend which of the options would work best for you.
MoneyHelper has lots of useful information about pensions on its website including pension basics, auto enrolment, building a retirement pot and problems with pensions.
If you’re worried you might have been approached by a scammer – or are already dealing with one – get on the Financial Conduct Authority’s ScamSmart website. It has a list of unauthorised firms to avoid, a form for reporting potential scams and guidance on what to do if you have been scammed.
Tax Confident is HMRC’s free online guide to understanding tax. It explains the essentials in plain English, covering topics such as working life, retirement, small businesses and tax basics, with links to more detailed guidance when you need it.
Good to know: Tax Confident is an educational resource. It can help you build your understanding, but you’ll still need to use GOV.UK or HMRC’s online services to complete tax related tasks.
Security briefing
While you are searching for a lost pension, scammers may be searching for you. They can appear professional, convincing and even have personal information to gain your trust.
Before sharing personal information, transferring money or accepting an unexpected offer, always stop and verify who you are dealing with. Pressure to act quickly and promises of unusually high returns should always raise suspicion.
Study the warning signs below and expose the con before it costs you.
Trace for Free
You never need to pay someone to trace a lost pension. Follow our step by step guide and conduct your own search for free.
Check their credentials
Considering combining your pensions? Before transferring anything, check that the company is on the FCA Register and not on the FCA Warning List.
Question unexpected contact
Ignore unexpected offers, especially a “free pension review”. Pension Wise and MoneyHelper will never contact you unless you approach them first.
Resist pressure tactics
Be suspicious of “rare”, “one off” or “time limited” investments, particularly those overseas or promising guaranteed returns. A reputable organisation will give you time to investigate and decide.
Leave suspicious links alone
Do not open links in unexpected emails, texts or social media messages. Look up the organisation’s official contact details separately and check the message is genuine.
There are no secret loopholes
Beware of anyone claiming they can unlock your pension before age 55. Except in limited circumstances, such as ill health, doing so could result in a significant tax charge.
MISSION ALLIES
