Why so many people don’t check their pension

For many people, a pension is something to deal with later down the line. If you’re one of them, don’t worry – it’s easy to get things back on track.

Many people neglect to check their pension. Sometimes, that’s simply because they’re not in the habit of checking, so it’s not something that routinely occurs to them to do. 

Other times, though, it’s because checking feels overwhelming – either because of fear and uncertainty, or due to the perceived administrative burden. 

Fortunately, a few simple steps can make these barriers easy to overcome. We’ll cover them a little later on in this article.

How checking your pension can help

When you’re equipped with the facts, you’re more empowered to make better decisions about your future. Checking your pension often can help you feel more confident, and makes things a lot easier to manage. 

For example, regularly reviewing your pension helps you answer these questions:

Am I on track for the lifestyle I want?

To find out if you could be on the right track for the retirement lifestyle you want, you’ll need to check the value of your pension plan. You can usually do this online or via your provider’s app, if they have one. If you’re a Standard Life customer, you can find out more about our online services on our website. Or check our support page for FAQs and ways to get in touch. You might have more than one pension plan, so remember to check the value of each.

You can use our pension calculator to get an idea of how much you might get from your pension plans in future. You might find you’re already on track for the lifestyle you want in retirement, which can be really reassuring. Or, you might find things aren’t quite where you want them to be - a helpful discovery that lets you know what changes you need to make. If your pension savings aren’t where you want them to be, don’t panic; there may well be things you can do to help you reach your retirement goals. Even if you are where you want to be right now, it’s still important to regularly check you’re comfortable with how your pension savings are doing.

Am I taking enough risk?

Checking your pension can help you understand how your savings are invested and whether the level of investment risk remains appropriate for your goals and circumstances.

Although returns are never guaranteed, and your investments could go down as well as up, taking more risk can increase the potential for higher returns. 

Depending on your pension plan, you might be able to review or change how your pension’s invested through your online account.  

Do I know where all my pensions are located?

Many people have multiple pension pots due to having changed employers throughout their careers. If you don’t regularly check your pension, it’s easy to lose track of where each pot is located, which could mean you don’t claim the full amount you’ve built up for retirement. 

Knowing where your pensions are can make them easier to keep track of. You may also decide to combine all your pensions into a single pension pot, which can make things easier to manage. This isn’t right for everyone – it’s important to check each provider’s terms and conditions before making your decision. 

One simple habit

The longer we avoid checking our pension, the more daunting it feels to face. But you can get things back on track by forming this one simple habit. 

Once a month, take just five minutes to:

•    Check the current value of your pension 
•    Explore the tools, information and support available from your pension provider
•    Assess whether you can afford to increase your contributions 

The more often you do this, the simpler things will be each time. 

You could combine checking your pension with other regular admin tasks, like paying your bills or checking your bank balance. And if you can add a cup of tea and a biscuit into the mix, all the better.

Be informed

Remember the more you know, the better you’ll feel. If you'd like to learn more about pensions and retirement planning, the following resources provide free and impartial information:

•    MoneyHelper offers guidance on pensions, retirement planning, pension tracing and understanding pension options.

•    GOV.UK provides information about the State Pension and access to the Pension Tracing Service.

•    Many pension providers offer support, educational articles and planning resources to help you learn more about retirement saving. You can also find further articles and information about retirement planning on MoneyPlus.

More planning, more confidence

Although pensions can feel overwhelming, regularly checking your pension can help you feel more positive about your finances. We’re not just saying that – our research shows that people who report doing just “a little” planning feel more confident than those who haven’t done any.

If you’re ready to get started, take the first step and look at your pension today.

The information here is based on our understanding in August 2026 and shouldn’t be taken as financial advice.

A pension plan is an investment. Its value can go down as well as up and could be worth less than was paid in.

Your own personal circumstances, including where you live in the UK, will have an impact on the tax you pay. Laws and tax rules may change in the future.

Standard Life accepts no responsibility for information on external websites. These are provided for general information.