How to find a NOW:Pensions pension
Lost pensions are more common than you might think. Whether you’ve changed jobs, moved house, or simply lost track of an old retirement plan, reconnecting with your pension can help you better plan for the future. NOW:Pensions is one of the UK’s newer workplace pension providers, so if one of your previous employers set up a scheme with them, you might have a pot waiting. Here, we’ll explain how to find your NOW:Pensions pension.
What is a “lost pension”?
A lost pension is one that you’re not actively managing or tracking—perhaps because you’ve forgotten the policy details or never received them. Even if you haven’t checked it in a while, your retirement savings are still there, growing over time. Finding your pension again helps ensure you’re aware of all your assets as you plan for retirement.
Reasons to Trace Your NOW:Pensions Pension
You may want to trace your pension if:
You’ve changed jobs (and you were automatically enrolled in a NOW:Pensions scheme at a previous workplace).
You suspect you have multiple pensions and want to consolidate them.
You’ve moved house, so NOW:Pensions’ records may be out of date.
You want an up-to-date overview of your retirement savings.
Steps to Find Your NOW:Pensions Pension
Activate Your Online Account
When your employer set you up on NOW:Pensions, you were assigned a unique “contract number.” To find your pension details online, follow these steps:
Visit the NOW:Pensions online portal.
Enter your contract number and date of birth.
Activate your online account by creating login credentials (email and password).
Once your online account is set up, you can log in anytime to check your pension balance and view statements. Bear in mind that you’ll need your contract number for this, so if you don’t have it, try one of the other methods below.
Call NOW:Pensions Customer Services
If you don’t know your contract number or aren’t sure whether you have a policy with NOW:Pensions, you can call their customer service line on 0330 100 3334. You’ll need to provide details such as:
Full name
Date of birth
National Insurance number
Current or previous addresses
Their support team will search their system to see if they hold a pension for you. This can take a bit of time, but it’s a straightforward way to find out if you have a pot with them.
Use a Financial Adviser
An independent financial adviser (IFA) can help locate and manage your pension by sending Letters of Authority to providers like NOW:Pensions. These letters request full policy information on your behalf. Bear in mind:
IFAs charge fees for their services.
They can also offer professional advice on retirement planning and pension consolidation.
For those wanting expert input, this may be a worthwhile option.
Look Through Old Paperwork
If you’ve kept any documentation from your former employer or from NOW:Pensions, you might find your contract number there. This could be in:
A welcome pack from when you were first enrolled.
Annual statements or benefit summaries.
Remember, these might have gone to an old address, but it’s worth checking if you do have any records. Once you’ve found your contract number, you can either register online or call customer services to confirm your details.
Use Penny (or a Similar Service)
Services like Penny can automatically trace lost pensions—including those with NOW:Pensions—using your personal details and job history. You don’t have to make multiple calls or sort through heaps of paperwork. If you think you might have more than one pension to find, this could be a time-saving solution.
Ready to Trace Your NOW:Pensions Pension?
Whether you opt to register online, make a phone call, consult an adviser, dig out old paperwork, or use a tracing service, finding your NOW:Pensions pot is well worth the effort. After all, every little bit counts when it comes to building a comfortable retirement. If you suspect you have a pension with NOW:Pensions, why not start today? It’s one step closer to taking full control of your retirement savings.
