Trace Request Submitted

Thank you for getting in touch with us to trace any potential pension benefits. We will begin reviewing our records soon and aim to provide you with a clear answer about any pension benefits you may still in the pension scheme.

Pension refunds

We would like to clarify an important point regarding historical refund rules for pension schemes. If individuals were not part of the pension scheme for very long, it was common practice for them to receive a refund of some or all of their contributions. This meant that no pension benefits were retained in the scheme for those people. Over the years, the rules around these refunds have changed:

• Before 1988: If employees left the pension scheme within two years of joining, they could get a refund of their contributions.

• From 1988 to 6 April 2015: The minimum period was extended to two years. If an employee left their pension scheme within this time, they were entitled to a refund of their own contributions, minus tax.

• After 6 April 2015: The option for a short service refund was removed for members of defined contribution schemes. This was part of a wider effort to promote retirement saving and protect pension entitlements. Those leaving a pension scheme within two years now have the option to either leave their benefits in the scheme until retirement or transfer them to another pension arrangement.

Search process

Despite the historical rule changes, we want to reassure you that we will thoroughly search the scheme records to identify if you have any entitlement. Additionally, if you have completed all parts of the search form accurately, we shouldn’t need any further information from you to complete this process.

Timescales

We expect to complete this search within 5 to 10 working days. We appreciate your patience whilst this process takes place.

Tracing other pensions

The DWP Pension Tracing Service is a valuable tool for anyone looking to find their lost or forgotten pension benefits.

If you’ve lost track of a pension, perhaps from a previous job or a personal pension scheme, this service can help you identify the administrator responsible for the pension. By simply entering details such as your former employer’s name or the pension scheme you were part of, the service provides contact information for the relevant pension schemes. This can be a crucial step in claiming pensions you are entitled to, ensuring you have access to all your retirement benefits.

To learn more or to use the service, visit Gov.uk’s pension tracing page.

Thank you again for getting in touch. Please feel free to contact us if you need further assistance.