A “lost” pension is usually a record-identification problem: the employer changed name, the administrator changed, or correspondence went to an old address. Do not pay a tracing service or transfer anything until the scheme and your membership have been confirmed in writing.
Build the employment timeline
List each employer's legal/trading name, work dates, payroll number, address and any merger or successor. Revenue myAccount employment history may help identify PAYE employers, but it is not itself a pension register.
Contact the former employer, trustee or administrator
Ask who operated the pension arrangement during your service and who holds it now. Supply only the identity information required through a verified contact channel. Request a current benefit statement, scheme type, normal retirement age, preserved-benefit status, transfer options and contact details.
Use the Pensions Authority enquiry route
The Pensions Authority regulates occupational schemes and PRSAs and maintains scheme information. Its enquiry service can help with questions and possible non-compliance, but it does not create a guaranteed public search result for every old employment. Provide employer, dates and any scheme documents.
Do not transfer on discovery
The Authority says people leaving employment may, depending on circumstances, leave benefits in the arrangement, transfer them, or receive a refund only in limited cases. First obtain the existing benefits, guarantees, charges and transfer value. A defined-benefit promise, protected term or valuable option can be lost on transfer.
Record the result
- Scheme/provider legal name and verified contact.
- Member/reference number and current statement date.
- Benefit type, retirement date and dependant/death terms.
- Transfer value and expiry, if requested.
- Complaint/escalation route and copies of correspondence.
Keep the pension separate unless a regulated, evidence-based transfer decision supports consolidation. See the consolidation checklist.