How do I find a lost pension?

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Over the years, it’s easy to lose track of pensions, especially if you’ve had multiple jobs. In fact, a fifth of people with more than one pension plan have said they think they’ve lost track of at least one of them. And it’s now estimated that there are 3.3 million lost pensions in the UK, worth around £31.1 billion in total.

How are pensions lost?

Every time you change jobs, you run the risk of losing track of your pension plan.

When you start a new job, you’ll typically be automatically enrolled into your company’s workplace pension scheme. And while you work there, you and your employer will be paying into that pension plan.

But when you leave that job and move onto a new one, that pension plan doesn’t follow you. Your new employer will set up a new workplace pension plan for you, and unless you think to keep tabs on your old plan, or combine it with your new one, it’s easy to forget about. And that can lead to a lot of pensions over time.

Lost a pension?

It's easy to lose track of your old pensions as you change jobs.

But if you’re coming up to retirement it’s more important than ever that you find them. If you think you might’ve lost a pension, the government's pension tracing service can help you find it.

Pension tracing service

Should I combine my pension plans?

Once you’ve tracked down all your pensions, it can be a good idea to think about whether combining them into one plan is right for you. Here’s why it might make sense:

• Simpler to manage: With all your pension savings in one place, it’ll be easier to keep track of how much you’ve saved towards retirement and to make plans for your future.
   
• Fewer charges: Each pension provider will charge you for managing your pension. Combining your pensions with one provider (this could be any provider) could reduce the overall charges you pay and could save you some money if you choose a provider with lower fees.
   
• Better options: A new provider may give you better or more investment choices, or even more flexible options when it comes to taking your money in retirement.
   
• Less admin: You could have one app, one set of paperwork and only one plan to update if any of your personal information changes.

Before you combine your pensions, though, check if any of your current pension schemes will charge you a fee for transferring away. And importantly, keep in mind some older pensions may offer valuable guarantees and benefits, which you could lose by transferring. 

Bringing your pensions together with Standard Life

Ready to join thousands who have combined their pension plans with us? It’s easy to get started.

Combine your pension plans

Why choose Standard Life?

• We won’t charge you to bring your pensions together
• Easily access your money from age 55 (age 57 from 6 April 2028)
• Start, stop or change your payments at any time
•  Manage your money online or on our app
   

The information here is based on our understanding in July 2025 and shouldn't be taken as financial advice. 

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