National Pension Tracing Day is an initiative designed to encourage us all to engage with our retirement and to think about the pension pots we hold.

Throughout a long career, you might have amassed several pensions with multiple employers. You may also have private pensions and other sources of retirement income.

Keeping track isn’t always easy, but doing so gives you a complete view of your finances, equipping you with all the information you need to make the right retirement decisions for you.

In 2025, National Pension Tracing Day will be marked on 26 October, so keep reading for six reasons to find your lost pots now, plus how you might go about it.

1. If you have a lost pension, you’re entitled to it

It’s important to remember that if you do have a lost pension out there somewhere, that money is yours and you are entitled to it.

If you took the product out some time ago, or it was taken out on your behalf by a former employer, there are several reasons why it might be classed as “lost”.

Your scheme or provider might have been bought out by a larger firm, or you could have moved house without informing the relevant parties.

Whatever the reason, if the pension exists, that money should be helping you to live your dream retirement, so don’t be afraid to search for it.

2. Finding it gives you a full picture so you can make the right choices

You’ll have thought long and hard about your dream retirement and created a financial plan aligned to your personal circumstances and goals.

Additional funds could make a significant difference to these plans. You might be able to retire earlier than planned or live a more comfortable lifestyle than you expected.

As with any plan, it is only as strong as the information put into it. Finding all the money you are entitled to allows you to plan based on a complete and up-to-date picture. This means the plan in place will be right for you and allow you to live the retirement you deserve.

3. You could save yourself money

The “lost” pensions your search uncovers will likely be older ones, maybe from previous jobs or private ones that you took out in a different stage of life.

These could have ongoing annual management charges or other fees that are no longer competitive in today’s market. Pension advice could help here, so please get in touch.

4. You might uncover forgotten benefits

Older schemes might have guaranteed pension amounts or annuity rates that remain competitive, or additional death benefits or spouse’s pensions that can’t be matched by your newer schemes.

When you find lost pensions, be sure to ask your provider for up-to-date valuations, quotations, and details of fees and benefits so you can make informed choices about your next move.

If you need help analysing this information, remember that we’re always on hand to help.

5. Engaging with your retirement is key

You might consider yourself very engaged with your retirement, but the injection of extra funds could provide new impetus.

We’re here to help you decide on the right option for you, so get in touch. We can talk you through the potential impact of different retirement options and the possible consequences of holding additional wealth.

6. It’s easy to do through the government website

Finding lost pensions could be as simple as searching your filing cabinet or office drawers, but the government also offers a pension tracing service.

This can be used to help you find contact details for schemes and providers that might have changed names or merged with other companies over time.

Simply search “government pension tracing service” and you’ll be well on your way to tracking down your lost money.

Get in touch

Please contact us if you need help finding your lost pensions or if you have any questions about any other aspect of your long-term financial plans. De Mellow’s expert financial planners are on hand to help.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select, and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested. Investing does not provide the security of capital, which is characteristic of a deposit account with a bank or building society.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time and are generally dependent on individual circumstances.

Your pension income could also be affected by the interest rates at the time you take your benefits. The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances, tax legislation, and regulations, which are subject to change in the future.

SJP Approved 28/10/2025