How do I find my old pensions?

If you’ve ever switched jobs, moved homes, or simply lost track of your pension plans over the years, you’re not alone. Many of us have wondered, “How do I find my old pensions?” and that’s exactly what we’re here to help you with.

In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to let things slip through the cracks, especially something as long-term as a pension plan. But don’t worry – finding your old pensions is not as difficult as it may seem.

We’ll walk you through the steps you can take to trace your old pensions and make sure every penny you’ve worked hard for is where it belongs – in your pocket.

Key Points

• Why should I find my lost pension?
• Tracking down pensions
• Financial advice and future planning
• Get professional pension help

Why should I find my lost pension?

Many people may have worked for multiple employers throughout their career, resulting in multiple pension schemes.

Losing track of these pensions can mean you don’t get that dream retirement you’ve been looking for.

By locating lost pensions, you can make sure you receive a comfortable retirement and the full benefits you are entitled to. This includes both the contributions you made and any contributions from your employers.

Locating lost pensions can significantly increase the overall retirement income, ensuring a comfortable financial future.

Understanding pension freedoms and the options available is another crucial aspect.

With the introduction of pension reforms in recent years, people now have more flexibility in accessing their pension funds.

Therefore, you should be aware of the options available, such as taking a lump sum, purchasing an annuity, or keeping the pension invested.

According to research, there are an estimated 1.6 million lost pension pots in the UK, with an average value of £23,000. This highlights the major potential financial impact for those unaware of potentially lost pensions.

Tracking down pensions

Tracking down pensions can be a time-consuming process, but with the right information and resources, it is possible to locate and access these funds relatively easily.

Whether you are looking for a lost pension from a past employer or need help in locating a pension for a deceased loved one, these instructions can help.

Contacting previous employers

To start with, get in touch with the HR department of each previous employer as they typically have access to the necessary information regarding pension schemes.

When reaching out, remember to provide details such as:

• Employment dates
• Probable dates of pension scheme membership
• National Insurance (NI) number
• Vesting period
• Contribution rates
• Reference numbers

Utilising pension tracing services

The government’s pension tracing service is a valuable (free!) resource that helps people locate their old or lost pensions.

To access the pension tracing service online, you can visit the official Gov.uk website. Here, you will find a dedicated section for pension tracing that will provide instructions on what to do.

You will need to provide some basic information to begin, including the name of a previous employer or the name of the pension provider.

Financial advice & future planning

If you want to make sound financial decisions, make sure to think about things like income, expenses, savings, investments, and your tolerance to risk.

Guidance from a qualified financial advisor can help you understand the potential value of your pension and make informed decisions for your retirement.

Such advice typically includes:

• Budgeting
• Debt management
• Tax planning
• Estate planning
• Retirement planning
• Investment strategies

Pension help from Spencer Churchill Claims Advice

When it comes to your pension, it’s important to only take the advice of professionals you trust.

Too often people are mis-sold pension transfers and end up with pension pots that are far smaller than expected.

So, make sure you do your research and, if you’re ever worried that your pension isn’t being handled correctly, give our team a call.

We’ve specialised in mis-sold pension claims for years, so there’s no better name to trust that Spencer Churchill Claims Advice.