Key takeaways
- Changing jobs often means building up multiple pension pots, but if you’ve lost track of any, you can usually hunt them down using a pension tracing service.
- The government’s Pension Tracing Service is free and safe to use, so it’s worth being cautious of unsolicited offers to “find your pension” for a fee.
- Once you know how many pensions you have, you can decide how best to manage them, from consolidating them into one pot to cashing each pot in separately.
We all lose track of things from time-to-time —whether it’s tearing the sofa apart looking for the remote or rifling through envelopes in search of an old bank statement. Losing tabs on our pension pots, however, can come with a higher level of stress.
It usually happens gradually, job by job, house move by house move. Then one day, a letter or life event will prompt a worrying question: how do I find out how many pensions I have?
Many UK workers will have several jobs over their working life, and since workplace pension auto-enrolment began in 2012 [1], each qualifying job can mean getting a new pension pot.
This means that over time, keeping track can start to feel like a losing battle.
In fact, research from the Pensions Policy Institute suggests that (as of 2024) there was £3.1 billion sitting idle in unclaimed pension pots.[2]
The good news, though, is that finding your pensions is usually straightforward, free, and far less complicated than many people expect.
In this guide, we’ll look at why you might have more than one pension pot in the first place, how to find and trace the pensions you do have, and (finally!) what to do once you’ve found them. We’ll also look at how you can avoid scams along the way.
Okay, let’s dig in!
Use the links below to jump to a specific section:
- Why you might have multiple pensions
- How to check if you have any pensions
- Using a pension tracing service to find lost pensions
- What to do once you know how many pensions you have
- Pension tracing scams and how to spot them
- What if I still can't find all my pensions?
- Wealthify’s consolidation service
Why you might have multiple pensions
Before you find out what pensions you have, it helps to understand why you may have more than one.
Since 2012, most UK employers have been required to automatically enrol eligible workers into a workplace pension. [1] This means:
- Every new qualifying job can create a new pension pot
- Changing employers usually means starting a new scheme
- Even short periods of employment can still result in a pension being set up!
In addition to workplace pensions, there’s a chance you’ll also have:
- A personal pension you opened yourself
- A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) from earlier financial planning
- Different types of pensions, such as defined contribution and defined benefit schemes, depending on the roles and organisations you’ve worked at
Over time, these can become scattered across multiple providers. Keeping track of them matters because understanding what you have is essential for realistic retirement planning and avoiding missed income later in life.
How to check if you have any pensions
Okay, so you know there might be more than one pension pot that’s slipped your mind ... But how do you go about checking?
The best place to start is with what’s already in reach. This could include:
- Your current workplace pension. If you’re employed, log in to your workplace pension or check recent payslips. This confirms who your current provider is and may jog your memory about previous ones.
- Old paperwork. Look through any paperwork you’ve kept, including welcome packs, annual pension statements, payslips, and P60s. Even a provider name or policy number could be extremely useful later.
- Email inbox. Search your email for keywords like “pension”, “retirement”, “auto-enrolment”, or the names of employers you’ve worked for. Pension providers often send setup confirmations and yearly updates by email.
- Bank statements. Check past and present statements for regular payments going out to pension providers, especially if you’ve set up and paid into a personal pension.
- Annual statements. If you’ve kept any annual pension statements (paper or digital), gather them together. These often contain provider contact details and policy references.
You can also check your online and digital accounts, including:
- Pension provider logins. Try logging into any pension providers you remember using, even if you’re not sure there’s still money there.
- Email searches for logins. Look for account setup emails, password reset messages, or security alerts from financial providers.
- Password managers. If you use a password manager or have saved passwords in your browser, scan the list for pension providers or financial services.
- Mobile apps. Check your phone for any pension or investment apps you may have installed and forgotten about.
Create a job history list
You can also start your search for lost pension pots by putting together a clear list of your job history, making sure to include all roles, even if you were only employed for a short time.
Include periods of self-employment, as these may be linked to a personal or stakeholder pension that you set up yourself.
Having this information ready puts you in a strong position for the next step: formally tracing any pensions you still haven’t been able to find.
Using a pension tracing service to find lost pensions
So, it may sound obvious, but what is pension tracing?
Ultimately, just what it says on the tin. Pension tracing helps you reconnect with pension providers you’ve lost touch with. In the UK, the government offers a free Pension Tracing Service.
The service can help you find the contact details for pension schemes, as well as the provider managing the scheme.
It does not tell you the value of your pension, but it points you in the right place to find out.
How to use it step by step
- Gather details about your past employers
- Search by employer name or pension scheme
- Enter what you know, even if it’s incomplete
- Receive provider contact details
What information you’ll need
- Employer name (or best guess)
- Approximate dates of employment
- Any scheme names you remember
If you can’t remember the employer’s name
- Try variations of the company name
- Check whether the company merged or changed names
- Look up dissolved companies via Companies House
Most searches only take a few minutes, and contacting providers usually results in a response within a few weeks.
What to do once you know how many pensions you have
Ok, you now know how many pensions you have. What do you do next?
Keep a pension log
Create a simple, secure pension log.
This could be a spreadsheet, a document, or a trusted digital tool. For each pension, record the provider name, policy or reference number, current value (if you know it), and contact details.
Update this log at least once a year. Store it securely and make sure someone you trust knows where to find it. Future you will be very grateful.
Should you consolidate your pensions?
Combining pensions can make life easier – depending on your situation and the type of pension you have.
Consolidation can mean fewer accounts to manage, a clearer view of your total retirement savings, and potentially lower overall charges.
But there are important caveats. Some older pensions come with valuable benefits you could lose if you transfer (such as a guaranteed income for life, which is based on your salary). Defined benefit pensions, in particular, usually shouldn’t be transferred for this reason.
Always check the details carefully before making any changes. And when in doubt, pause and get advice. Please note, Wealthify does not offer advice.
Keep your details up to date
It sounds obvious, but it’s often overlooked. If your provider can’t contact you, your pension can effectively disappear from view.
Make sure every provider has your current address and contact details. Set up online access wherever possible so you can check balances easily. Also, aim to review all your pensions once a year – even a quick check is better than none.
Plan for retirement
Organisation is only half the job. You also need to know whether you’re on track to achieving the retirement you want.
Add up the value of your pension pots to see the bigger picture. Check your State Pension entitlement so there are no surprises later. You could also use pension calculators (like our Wealthify one) to estimate what your income might look like in retirement.
If things feel unclear or complicated, consider speaking to a regulated financial adviser. Good advice can make a big difference.
Ultimately, a little effort now goes a long way. Stay organised, review regularly, and keep your future firmly in focus.
Pension tracing scams and how to spot them
Scammers often target people who are worried they’ve lost track of a pension. They may sound helpful, professional, and reassuring – but the red flags are usually there if you know what to look for.
Be cautious of any unsolicited contact offering to “find your pension” for you. Legitimate firms don’t usually cold-call, text, or email out of the blue.
Requests for upfront fees are another major warning sign. So is pressure to act quickly, especially if you’re told an opportunity is time-limited or urgent.
Promises of guaranteed returns should always raise alarm bells. Pension investments don’t come with guarantees (as their performance can go up and down), and anyone claiming otherwise is not being honest.
Be wary if you’re asked for personal or financial details before the service is properly explained. Reputable firms will be transparent about what they do and how they do it.
Finally, there’s no such thing as a secret or exclusive way to “unlock” or find pensions. Claims like this are designed to impress – and mislead.
Check before you trust
Before engaging with any pension-related firm, always check that they are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Where relevant, confirm they are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
Taking a few minutes to verify a firm’s credentials can protect your pension – and your peace of mind.
What if I still can't find all my pensions?
Get extra support
If your search is going nowhere, bring in some backup. MoneyHelper offers free, impartial support and can point you in the right direction. Citizens Advice can also help you understand your options and next steps.
If things feel complex – or you want reassurance you’re doing the right thing – consider speaking to a regulated financial adviser. Professional guidance can save time and prevent costly mistakes.
If your employer no longer exists
A dissolved employer doesn’t mean your pension has vanished.
Start by searching Companies House to check the company’s history and any name changes. Even if the business has closed, the pension scheme itself should still exist and be managed by a provider or trustee.
If the pension scheme has failed entirely, you may still be protected. The Pension Protection Fund can provide compensation in certain cases.
For more detail, see our guide to finding a pension from a dissolved company.
Persistence pays off. With the right support and information, even the trickiest pension searches can be resolved.
Wealthify’s pension consolidation service
Bringing your pensions together
Juggling multiple pension pots can be time-consuming and confusing. For many people, consolidation offers a simpler, clearer way forward.
Wealthify is designed with simplicity in mind. It’s FCA regulated and offers FSCS protection where applicable, giving you peace of mind. It’s also backed by Aviva, one of the UK’s most established financial names.
Fees are transparent, with no hidden charges to worry about. The platform – including our award-winning SIPP – is built to be easy to use, and the online consolidation process is straightforward from start to finish.
The goal is simple: help you keep your pensions in one place, without unnecessary complexity.
Conclusion
If you’ve been asking “how do I find out what pensions I have?” the most important thing to remember is this: you’re not alone, and you don’t need to be an expert to track them down.
By gathering what you already know, using free tracing tools, and staying alert to scams, you can build a clear picture of your retirement savings. Once you’ve done that, you’re in a far stronger position to plan ahead – with confidence and control over your financial future.
Please remember the value of your investments can go down as well as up, and you could get back less than invested.
The tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.
Wealthify does not provide financial advice. Seek financial advice if you are unsure about investing.
