Quick answer: If you know the provider, contact it directly with your National Insurance number and date of birth. If the name on your paperwork no longer exists, the free government Pension Tracing Service can tell you who looks after the scheme now. Your pension moves with the business when a provider is taken over, so it is still there.
Old names and who holds those pensions now
A few of the better-known changes. Check with the Pension Tracing Service for your own policy, as some books of business have been moved more than once.
| Name on your old paperwork | Now part of |
|---|---|
| Norwich Union | Aviva |
| Friends Provident, Friends Life | Aviva |
| Scottish Equitable | Aegon |
| Clerical Medical | Scottish Widows |
| Pearl, London Life, NPI | Phoenix |
| Standard Life (older policies) | Phoenix Group, still under the Standard Life name |
| Prudential (UK pensions) | M&G |
| Scottish Life, Refuge Assurance | Royal London |
| Equitable Life | Utmost Life and Pensions |
| Allied Dunbar, Eagle Star | Zurich |
Workplace pension providers since 2012
If you have had a job since automatic enrolment began, your employer will have chosen a provider for you. Common ones include Nest, The People’s Pension, NOW: Pensions, Smart Pension, Aviva, Legal & General, Scottish Widows and Royal London. The provider’s name should be on your payslip or in the welcome email you got when you started.
Many of these let you set up an online account with your National Insurance number and date of birth. If you have lost touch, contact the provider and they will check their records.
What to tell the provider
- Your full name and any previous names
- Your date of birth and National Insurance number
- Your current address and any old addresses
- A policy number or the employer’s name, if you have it
Contact the provider using the details on its own website or from the Pension Tracing Service, not from a search advert or a text message, to avoid scam sites.
If you would rather someone did it for you
Tracing pensions yourself costs nothing but time. If you don’t have the time, or the letters and ID checks are putting you off, tell us what you remember and we’ll put you in touch with the right service:
- Pension Pie, our sister company, traces pensions of any size for one fixed fee of £249 including VAT. It never takes a percentage of what it finds and never moves your money.
- An FCA-authorised adviser may trace your pensions as part of an advice service, typically where they total £75,000 or more. The adviser explains any fees before you go ahead.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my Nest pension?
Nest is the workplace pension scheme set up by the government. You can set up an online account on the Nest website with your National Insurance number, or contact Nest directly if you have lost touch.
My pension was with Norwich Union. Who has it now?
Norwich Union became part of Aviva, which took on its pensions. Contact Aviva with your National Insurance number, date of birth and any policy number you have.
What happens to my pension if the provider is taken over?
Your pension moves to the new owner, with the same value and terms. It does not disappear, but letters may start coming from a company name you don’t recognise.
How do I find out who my pension provider is?
Check old payslips, P60s and pension letters. If you only know the employer, search for it on the free government Pension Tracing Service, which gives you the current contact details for the scheme.
Will the provider charge me to find my pension?
Providers do not normally charge you to check whether they hold a pension for you or to send you a statement.
More on finding lost pensions
- How do I find out what pensions I have?
- Can I find my pension with my National Insurance number?
- How to find a pension from an old job
- Finding a pension from years ago
- How to check your pensions online
- Pensions dashboards: when can I see all my pensions?
- SERPS: how to check and find yours
- The government Pension Tracing Service or paid tracing?
- What could an old pension be worth?