Finding lost money in the United Kingdom.
Most lost money in the UK can be traced through government and industry services. Start with your State Pension record, then check old workplace schemes and forgotten bank accounts.
Last read: 1 November 2026
Pensions
State pension: International Pension Centre (Department for Work and Pensions). Advice and information about pensions and benefits for people who live abroad or have lived abroad. From abroad: It takes enquiries through an online form and has international phone lines for State Pension questions.
Workplace and private pensions: Pension Tracing Service (Department for Work and Pensions). The Pension Tracing Service gives contact details to help you search for a lost pension. It will not tell you whether you have a pension or what it is worth.
Key facts and sources
- You usually need 10 qualifying years on your UK National Insurance record. Contributions in the EEA, Switzerland or a country with a UK social security agreement can count towards that, but the amount paid is based only on your UK years. Source: gov.uk, The new State Pension: living and working overseas, read 1 November 2026.
- The Pension Tracing Service will not tell you whether you have a pension or what it is worth. From outside the UK you can phone +44 (0)191 218 7777. Source: gov.uk, Find pension contact details, read 1 November 2026.
- The International Pension Centre handles State Pension enquiries from people abroad by online form, by phone on +44 (0)191 218 7777 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) or by post. Source: gov.uk, International Pension Centre, read 1 November 2026.
Other lost money
- Dormant bank accounts: My Lost Account. A free service that sends your details to the UK bank, building society or NS&I provider you choose, which searches its lost accounts, including closed or merged ones; it does not cover overseas, business or charity accounts. Run by: UK Finance, the Building Societies Association and NS&I.
- Official money registers: Lost and forgotten estates list. A government list of estates held by the Treasury Solicitor, published by Bona Vacantia. Run by: Bona Vacantia, Government Legal Department.
Questions
How do I find a lost pension in the United Kingdom?
Use the Pension Tracing Service on gov.uk to get contact details for a scheme or provider. It will not tell you whether you have a pension, so you then ask the scheme.
Can I check my UK State Pension from abroad?
Yes. The International Pension Centre handles pension questions for people who live or have lived abroad, by online form, phone or post. From outside the UK the State Pension line is +44 (0)191 218 7777.
How do I find a forgotten UK bank or building society account?
Apply through My Lost Account, a free service run with UK Finance, the Building Societies Association and NS&I. It covers personal accounts, including closed or merged providers, but not overseas accounts.
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.