Why it happens
Why pensions go missing
Most workplace pensions aren't automatically transferred when you leave. The pot stays with the old provider indefinitely — and it's easy to lose track of it years later.
Your old pot stays with the original provider even when your employer switches schemes. New contributions go elsewhere, but the old money doesn't automatically follow.
Pension providers send annual statements and important correspondence by post. If your address isn't up to date, years of paperwork — and the awareness it provides — go missing.
Large pension consolidations over the past two decades mean many providers have changed names. A pot you last knew as one name may now sit under a completely different brand.
Step by step
How to find your lost pensions
Search by employer name or pension provider at gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details. It's official and free. Note: the service finds contact details for the pension scheme — it doesn't confirm your balance or membership directly.
Look for deductions labelled pension, superannuation, or AVC. The employer name on the payslip tells you which scheme to trace. Even partial records help — a year and employer name is usually enough.
HR departments keep records of which pension scheme was in place during your employment. Even if the company no longer exists, the pension scheme itself may still be active and holding your money.
This free service covers dormant bank accounts and some pension-linked savings accounts. It won't find workplace pensions directly, but it can surface connected financial assets you may have forgotten.
Found a pension but not sure what to do with it?
Tell Franky your situation →The free government service finds contact details for pension schemes — it doesn't tell you your balance or confirm you're a member. Once you have the contact details, write to the scheme directly with your National Insurance number and dates of employment.
Quick reference
What happens to your pension when you leave a job
| Situation | What happens to your pension |
|---|---|
| Workplace pension (auto-enrolled) | Stays with the provider. You remain a member but contributions stop. |
| Defined benefit (final salary) | Preserved in the scheme. You get a deferred pension at retirement age. |
| You had less than 2 years' service | You may get a refund or small deferred pot — depends on scheme rules. |
| You opted out | No pot exists — but check if you were auto-enrolled before opting out. |
Next steps
What to do once you find your pension
Contact the provider with your National Insurance number and ask for a current transfer value statement. This tells you what the pot is actually worth today, not what was paid in years ago.
Combining small pots can reduce fees and make retirement planning simpler. But the right answer depends on your age, current contributions, and whether any pot is defined benefit. There is no universal answer.
Make sure every provider has your current address and email. This is the single most common reason pensions go missing again — correspondence stops arriving and the pot slips back out of view.
Be wary of anyone who contacts you offering to help find or transfer your pension for a fee. Pension scams cost UK savers an average of £50,000. The government tracing service is free. If someone charges you to use it, walk away.
Not sure what to do with a pension you've found?
Your next move depends on your age, your other pensions, and your plans. Franky helps you work it out — free, no agenda, no products to sell.
Ask Franky →