How to trace a lost or forgotten workplace pension

By · Published 2026-06-30 · Last reviewed 2026-09-18

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Start by listing every employer and pension provider you can remember, then use the free Pension Tracing Service on GOV.UK to find current contact details for each scheme. Contact each scheme with your National Insurance number and dates of employment, and ask whether they hold a pension for you and what it is worth. Never pay a company to do this for you.

You can trace a lost workplace pension yourself, for free. Make a list of past employers and pension providers, use the government's Pension Tracing Service to get each scheme's current contact details, then ask the scheme directly whether it holds a pension in your name. The whole process usually takes a few letters, emails or phone calls, and you should never need to pay anyone for it.

Pensions get lost for ordinary reasons: people change jobs, move house without telling an old scheme, or a company is taken over and the scheme is renamed. The money does not disappear. A workplace pension still belongs to you after you leave the job, and it stays invested until the scheme's pension age.

Why does tracing old pensions matter for care planning?

When a parent starts to need care, families often discover they do not have a full picture of the money available. A small pension from a job decades ago can make a real difference to what someone can afford, whether they are paying for help at home or for a care home.

It also matters for the council's financial assessment. Pension income usually counts as income when a council works out what someone should contribute towards their care, so it helps to know about every pension before that assessment starts. Having the full picture early avoids awkward corrections later.

Step 1: What information should you gather first?

Before you search, collect as much of the following as you can. Gaps are normal, so do not let missing details stop you.

Old payslips are especially useful because they often show pension deductions and the scheme's name.

Step 2: How do you use the Pension Tracing Service?

The Pension Tracing Service on GOV.UK is free. You type in the name of an employer or pension provider and it gives you the current contact details for the scheme, even if the scheme has changed name or moved to a new administrator.

It is important to understand what the service does not do. It will not tell you whether you have a pension, and it will not tell you what one is worth. It simply points you to the right organisation to ask. You can use it online, or contact the service by phone or post if you prefer.

What if the employer no longer exists?

Try searching for the company name anyway. When a company closes or is bought, its pension scheme is usually taken over, wound up into an insurer, or handed to a new administrator, and the tracing service often holds the updated details. If you know the company was bought, search for the new owner's name as well.

Step 3: What should you ask the pension scheme?

Once you have contact details, write or email each scheme. Give your full name, any previous names, date of birth, National Insurance number, the addresses you lived at while you worked there, and your dates of employment.

Ask them to confirm:

  1. Whether they hold any pension benefits for you
  2. What type of pension it is (a defined benefit pension based on salary, or a defined contribution pot)
  3. Its current value, or the pension it is expected to pay and from what age
  4. Whether any death benefits or protected rights apply
  5. What you need to do to update your address and nominate beneficiaries

Keep a simple log of who you contacted, when and what they said. Schemes can take several weeks to reply, and a log makes it easy to chase.

Step 4: How do you check your State Pension as well?

The State Pension is separate from workplace pensions and is not found through the tracing service. Use the State Pension forecast service on GOV.UK to see how much you could get, when you can get it, and whether you could increase it, for example by filling gaps in your National Insurance record.

What are pensions dashboards, and can you use one yet?

Pensions dashboards are a government-backed project that will let people see all their pensions, including the State Pension, in one place online. Pension schemes and providers in scope are required to connect to the dashboards system by 31 October 2026.

Connection is not the same as public launch. The date when members of the public can use the MoneyHelper Pensions Dashboard will be announced separately by the government. Until then, the tracing service and direct contact with schemes remain the way to find old pensions. Be wary of any company claiming to offer an official dashboard before a launch is announced.

How do you trace a pension for a parent?

If you are helping a parent, the easiest route is to do the search together and have them sign any letters to the scheme. Schemes will only share details with the member, or with someone who has legal authority to act for them.

That authority usually comes from:

If a parent has died, contact each scheme as the executor or next of kin. Many schemes pay death benefits or survivor pensions, and these can be missed if nobody asks.

How do you avoid pension-finding scams?

Lost pensions attract scammers because people are hoping for good news. The Pensions Regulator warns that cold calling about pensions is illegal and likely a sign of a scam.

Warning signs include:

Tracing a pension never requires you to transfer it. If anyone suggests moving an old pension as part of "finding" it, stop and get independent guidance first.

Should you combine old pensions once you find them?

Not automatically. Some older pensions carry valuable guarantees, such as a guaranteed annuity rate or a defined benefit promise, that would be lost on transfer. Others may have high charges that make combining sensible. Ask each scheme for details of any guarantees and charges before deciding.

This is general information rather than financial advice. For free, impartial guidance, you can contact MoneyHelper or Pension Wise, and for a personal recommendation on transferring or combining pensions, speak to a regulated financial adviser.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost anything to trace a lost pension?

No. The Pension Tracing Service on GOV.UK is free, and pension schemes do not charge you to confirm whether they hold your pension. Be cautious of any company that asks for a fee to do this.

How long does it take to trace a pension?

Finding contact details takes minutes online. Getting a reply from the scheme can take several weeks, particularly if records are old or held on paper, so it helps to write to all your old schemes at the same time.

Can I find out what my old pension is worth from the tracing service?

No. The tracing service only gives contact details. You need to ask the scheme itself for the current value or the expected pension.

What if I have forgotten the name of my old employer?

Look for old payslips, P60s, bank statements or CVs. Your HMRC personal tax account may also show past employment history, which can jog your memory about employer names and dates.

Can I trace a pension for a parent who has dementia?

Yes, if you have legal authority to act for them, such as a registered lasting power of attorney for property and financial affairs in England and Wales. Without it, you may need to apply to the Court of Protection to become their deputy.

Key takeaways