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Silly Question...

Why you "retire" do you have to chase around and contact the pension providers (if you've had multiple jobs/pensions) or are they activated automatically? I can see myself having a few small pots dotted around...

Thanks

Comments

  • MallyGirl
    MallyGirl Posts: 7,331 Senior Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Have you been keeping them all up to date with any changes of address?
    I’m a Senior Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Pensions, Annuities & Retirement Planning, Loans
    & Credit Cards boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.
    All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • Marcon
    Marcon Posts: 15,021 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    If you've ensured they all have your current address, you should have been receiving annual communications from all of them (fund values from any defined contribution schemes, summary funding statements from any defined benefit schemes).

    If not, down to you to update your contact details - the so-called tracing services, always assuming the pension provider tries to use them, are anything but 100% reliable.
    Googling on your question might have been both quicker and easier, if you're only after simple facts rather than opinions!  
  • marlot
    marlot Posts: 4,976 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Morata_ wrote: »
    Why you "retire" do you have to chase around and contact the pension providers (if you've had multiple jobs/pensions) or are they activated automatically? I can see myself having a few small pots dotted around...

    Thanks
    Yes! Especially if you're doing anything unusual, such as retiring early, transferring, etc.



    Some of my pensions providers were fabulous and did it in days. Others took 3-4 months.
  • AnotherJoe
    AnotherJoe Posts: 19,622 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 19 June 2019 at 6:08AM
    There's no reason to have lots of pensions if they are DC. With DB you'd hang onto them but with DC as you move jobs consolidate older DC's so you never have more than 2 or 3. Start now whilst you can remember them all !
  • DairyQueen
    DairyQueen Posts: 1,858 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    +1 to AJ's suggestion.

    Subject to any guarantees that may apply to specific non-DB schemes, I would look to consolidate as many pots as possible on one/two platforms.

    Much easier for you to administer and manage the investments. More straightforward dealing with tax and drawdown, etc.

    Consolidation will also provide an opportunity for you to optimise charges and review where your pot is invested.
  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 30,094 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    There's no reason to have lots of pensions if they are DC


    I've been advised not to move 2 of mine.
    One due to a 28% MVR before 65 and the other because it has a bigger tax free lump sum due to A-day rules.
    i.e. that can have penalties OR good features which means transferrring is not a good idea.
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