More than 3 million pension pots in the UK are lost, worth at least £18.7 billion, according to the Pensions Policy Institute's (PPI) Lost Pensions 2026 report. The average lost pot is worth about £6,220.

A pension is considered lost when the provider can't contact the saver, or the saver has lost track of it. Most lost pots belong to younger savers: about 82% are held by people under 55. The PPI says this reflects people changing jobs more often and being automatically enrolled into a new workplace pension with each employer. The share of pots that are lost is highest among people over 75, at about 13%.

The PPI changed how it collects data for the 2026 report, so its figures can't be compared directly with earlier estimates, such as the £31.1 billion it reported in 2024.

For context, the median State Pension received by single pensioners was £11,440 a year in 2024/25. A lost workplace pension could make a noticeable difference to retirement income.

Why pensions get lost

Pensions often get lost when people:

• change jobs and leave a pension behind with each employer

• move house and don't tell the pension provider

• change their name, for example after marriage

• lose old paperwork

Pensions dashboards

All pension schemes in scope must connect to the government's pensions dashboard system by 31 October 2026. The MoneyHelper Pensions Dashboard is intended to bring together information about pensions covered by the service, including lost pensions that can be matched to your details. Some pensions, including those already in payment and certain small occupational schemes, will not appear.

The Pension Dashboard is expected to open to the public in 2027/28. Until then, the steps below are the main ways to look for a lost pension.

How to find a lost pension

• List where you've worked. Write down each employer and roughly when you worked there. Old CVs, payslips, P45s and P60s can help.

• Look through old paperwork. Check for pension statements or letters, and note the provider's name.

• Check the address on old statements. If it isn't your current address, contact the provider to update it.

• Look for gaps. For any job where you don't know who ran the pension, contact the employer's HR department, or use the government's free Pension Tracing Service, online or by phone on 0800 731 0193. Have the employer's name and your dates of employment ready.

• If the employer has changed name or closed, search Companies House or the Charity Commission register.

• Contact the providers you've found. You'll usually need to give your National Insurance number.

Once you've found a pension

• Ask for an up-to-date statement.

• Give the provider your current contact details.

• Check the charges and how the money is invested.

• If you're thinking about combining pensions, check first whether you'd lose any valuable benefits (such as a guaranteed annuity rate) or pay exit fees. You can get free guidance from MoneyHelper or Pension Wise (if you're 50 or over), or advice from a regulated financial adviser.

This article is for general information and isn't financial advice.