Finding lost money in Ireland.
Irish state pension records sit with the Department of Social Protection. Dormant bank accounts are held by the institution first and later moved to a State fund, and you can still trace them.
Last read: 1 November 2026
Pensions
State pension: Department of Social Protection. State Pension (Contributory) rates, contribution rules and how to apply. From abroad: The department can pay your pension into an Irish account or into an account in the country where you live.
Workplace and private pensions: The Pensions Authority. The Pensions Authority supplies Irish data to a public register of European occupational pension schemes, published by EIOPA. It covers schemes with 12 or more active and deferred members.
Key facts and sources
- The maximum personal weekly rate of State Pension (Contributory) is 299.30 euro. At least 2080 full rate contributions give the maximum rate. Source: Department of Social Protection, gov.ie, read 1 November 2026.
- If you paid social insurance in another country covered by EC regulations or an Irish social security agreement, you may get a pro rata pension. Source: Department of Social Protection, gov.ie, read 1 November 2026.
- A bank, building society or An Post account is dormant if no transaction has been made in the previous 15 years on 30 September. Source: Central Bank of Ireland, read 1 November 2026.
Other lost money
- Dormant bank accounts: Dormant Accounts (Dormant Accounts Act 2001). Says owners keep their rights after funds move to the Dormant Accounts Fund and can get them back at any time by contacting the institution that held the account. Run by: Central Bank of Ireland; accounts held by banks, building societies and An Post.
- Forgotten insurance: Dormant Accounts Fund and Lost and forgotten life policies. Says to contact the insurer and complete its enquiry form for a dormant life assurance policy. Run by: National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA).
Questions
How do I find a lost pension in Ireland?
Check the public register of European occupational pension schemes, published by EIOPA with data from The Pensions Authority. It covers schemes with 12 or more active and deferred members.
Can I check my Ireland state pension from abroad?
The Department of Social Protection can pay State Pension (Contributory) into an Irish account or one in the country where you live. If you paid social insurance in another covered country, you may get a pro rata pension.
How do I find a forgotten Irish bank account?
An account is dormant if no transaction was made in the previous 15 years on 30 September. Contact the bank, building society or An Post. Owners keep their rights after funds move to the Dormant Accounts Fund.
Worked in more than one country?
No national tool looks across borders. PensionHunter traces pensions left behind across borders. It is run by Battersea Park Capital. Capital Find Money's founder has an interest in it, and we feature it because no national tool looks across countries. Try the free lost pension checker. Our own count of pensions left behind and the guides are free.
We always point people to the free government tracing route first, and we take nothing from financial advisers.