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Treasure trove

£26.6 billion in forgotten pensions

Did you know as many as 1 in 20 people could have a pension they didn’t think they had? Could that be you? It’s estimated £26.6 billion is currently trapped in forgotten pensions, averaging about £9,500 each[1].

With most individuals juggling multiple jobs throughout their lifetime, it’s no wonder that some of these pensions fall through the cracks. Whether due to a change of address or simple forgetfulness, these lost pensions could be the key to a more comfortable retirement.

Search for lost pensions

Losing track of an old pension is easier than you think, especially if you’ve moved house and should have informed your old pension provider. But if you suspect that you have a lost pension, don’t despair. Start by reaching out to your previous pension provider. If you’re unsure who that might be, the Government’s Pension Tracing Service can provide up-to-date contact details for your pension scheme.

Tips on how to track down your lost pension:

Begin by revisiting your CV or recalling every job you’ve held since leaving school or university. You may have had a workplace pension for each of these roles. Check any old pension statements you might have for details about your plans. The more information you can gather, the better.

Connecting with your pension provider

If you remember the provider of your old pension, contact them first. When doing so, provide as much information as possible to aid in the search for your pension savings. This includes your plan number (if available), date of birth and National Insurance number.

Utilising the Pension Tracing Service

If you believe you have a missing pension but lack information, turn to the Government’s free Pension Tracing Service. Available on the gov.uk website or via phone at 0345 600 2537, this service can provide up-to-date contact details if you remember the name of your old employer or the pension company.

Contacting the Pension Administrator

The Pension Tracing Service will only provide the contact details of the pension’s administrator. It’s then up to you to reach out and determine whether you have a pension and its current value.

Verifying Your Pension Entitlement

Just because you have pension paperwork from a previous employer doesn’t necessarily mean you’re entitled to a pension. You may have received a refund of your contributions when you left the employer. Some older workplace pensions also required membership for a specific number of years before a pension entitlement was granted.

Beware of scammers

Scammers often exploit legitimate events, so be vigilant around National Pension Tracing Day. Always ensure you’re communicating with legitimate entities.

Keep track of your pensions

If you move house in the future, remember to inform your pension providers of your new address to avoid losing track of your pensions again.

Time to track down your lost pensions?

Have you lost track of pensions from previous employers?  Don’t let your hard-earned money go unclaimed. Remember, it’s your money, and you have every right to claim it. Let us discuss how we can help you start your search and secure your financial future! We look forward to hearing from you.

Source data:

[1] https://www.royallondon.com/about-us/media/media-centre/press-releases/press-releases-2023/october/Finding-a-lost-pension-can-make-you-thousands-of-pounds-better-off/

A PENSION IS A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT NOT NORMALLY ACCESSIBLE UNTIL AGE 55 (57 FROM APRIL 2028 UNLESS THE PLAN HAS A PROTECTED PENSION AGE). 

THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENTS (AND ANY INCOME FROM THEM) CAN GO DOWN AS WELL AS UP, WHICH WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE LEVEL OF PENSION BENEFITS AVAILABLE. 

YOUR PENSION INCOME COULD ALSO BE AFFECTED BY THE INTEREST RATES AT THE TIME YOU TAKE YOUR BENEFITS.

Adam Reeves

Author: Adam Reeves

DipPFS Cert CII (MP&ER)
Independent Financial Planner, Wealth Manager, Director

Last updated on

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Adam was quick to assess & understand my situation, and was able to discuss & communicate in a very concise and simple way the various options available to me, taking time for me to understand and clarify where necessary. My understanding & knowledge of taxation & pensions has increased significantly allowing me to feel much happier making financial decisions for the future.

Rob – West Sussex

Adam and his team undertook in-depth research into our existing QROPS schemes and clearly set out both pros and cons of transferring the funds back to the UK. Having decided to go ahead with the transfer, Adam and his team worked extremely hard to facilitate the transfer. The QROPS pension trustees were not always the most professional or responsive organisation – however we were very grateful for the perseverance and commitment that Adam showed us as clients.

Jonathan – East Sussex

Adam offered a range of financial products , the one he suggested was affordable and proved to be a good choice.  Returns on investments have exceeded my expectations, based on Adam’s advice and guidance. Profits have enabled house improvements to take place.

David - Surrey

Adam arranged an appointment very timely, he explained his role and qualifications as an IFA giving me reassurance , we went through my retirement and investment goals. Adam discussed my options explaining in great detail, I felt relaxed during our discussions allowing me to fully understand my choices. I feel very confident in the financial advice allowing me to enjoy my retirement.

I was very happy with Adam’s recommendations and explanations of financial products which would suit my retirement goals, I feel this has helped me review and reduce my financial risk as I reach retirement, leaving me feeling confident that I can enjoy my retirement plans.

Ron – West Sussex

After initial meeting Adam put together a very detailed and thorough written plan. At our second meeting he went through the whole booklet and explained everything in layman’s terms which made it a lot easier to understand.

I am very happy with everything that was suggested and put in place especially with something as big and important as pensions. Adam and his team have taken a huge weight off my shoulders and I would highly recommend their services to anyone needing help with their financial planning and pension.  Adam couldn’t have been more helpful, and even came outside his normal area to meet me on a number of occasions.

Richard - Kent

Unfortunately I had to claim on my critical illness insurance due to my wife being ill and because of the sound advice Adam gave in acquiring this insurance we ended up being financially safe through a tough time.

Steve - Kent

Adam did a review of our financial situation, confirmed that Flexible Drawdown best suited our needs as a family, and then did all the research into the best product for us. He will continue to monitor it for me. He acted extremely promptly because we had a deadline for requiring the lump sum; went out of his way arranging meetings during non-office hours, was professional yet friendly and explained a difficult subject very well.

Clare – East Sussex

Adam did a thorough review of my pension policies, clearly explained how well they had performed, how flexible they were, how the market regulation has changed, and, crucially, what the tax implications would be if I were to leave them untouched. He accurately assessed my attitude to risk and recommended an up-to-date solution that will offer me the greatest flexibility at retirement.

Greg – East Sussex
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Data is compiled by Adviser Portals Ltd every 60 minutes. Information is not realtime. Last updated: 04/10/2024 at 09:00 AM
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