Find your old pensions

The value of investments can fall as well as rise, meaning you may get back less than you invest. You cannot withdraw money from your pension until age 55 (this is going up to age 57 in 2028).

The benefits of finding your lost money

More than a third of adults in the UK have lost track of their pensions, and it’s estimated that misplaced UK pension pots add up to £31.1bn (Source: Pensions UK). Have you considered the possibility that you’ve lost track of some of your pension savings?

It’s important to keep track of your pensions. This is money that can be used to help safeguard your retirement and it’s money you’ve earned through your hard work. So why not get your pensions under control? You’ll be able to see how much you’ve currently got and whether you’re on track to have the amount you need for the retirement you want.

Finally, it’s important to remember that providers won't find you and tell you about your missing pension – it’s your responsibility to locate your money.

NatWest Investment customers enjoying an Autumn afternoon

Lost or forgotten pensions

Whether you’ve worked for multiple employers, been self-employed, or had a mixture of both, it’s common to have several pension pots scattered across different providers – and each one will look and feel different, making it harder to keep track.

Confusion often arises when:

You’ve changed jobs or contracts multiple times.
You’ve moved to a new address.
A provider or past employer has gone out of business, merged, or rebranded.

Once you know where all your pensions are, for some people, bringing them together in one place can be a good idea, although this won’t be right for everyone.

This guide will explore how to locate old pensions, consolidate them, and track them in the future.

Find your pension

1. Check your old paperwork

Search your paperwork or email for pension statements, payslips, or any reference numbers.
For an employer pension, contact your former employer.
(Tip: Some companies may have merged or changed names, so it’s worth double-checking).

2. Use the Government’s Pension Tracing Service

Visit GOV.uk or call 0800 731 0175 (Relay UK: 18001 0800 731 0175).
This free service helps you find contact details for your pension providers.
When you contact the service, you might be asked for your date of birth, previous addresses and dates of employment.

3. If your old pension provider has gone out of business

Check if they were FCA-authorised (try the FCA Firm Checker).
You could be eligible for compensation through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

After finding an old pension or pensions, you should update your providers with your latest personal details.
you should also consider whether to keep your money where it is or consider moving it to another provider.

Bring your pensions together with Royal Bank Invest

Bring your pensions together with Royal Bank Invest and make them easier to manage. Your investments are looked after by the experts at Coutts, with low fees and 24/7 online access. You could also receive a cash reward between £50 and £5,000.

Eligibility, exclusions, terms and conditions apply. Offer ends 18th September 2026. We promote cash rewards at various times. Check if your existing provider charges exit fees or has special rules or benefits that could be affected if you move your pension.

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