Finding Past Pensions

Pjpern

I'm trying to find past pensions for a friend of mine who doesn't have much of a clue as far as companies that she's worked for before. I see online many companies longing to do this but I'm a bit wary of giving NI number and details. Can I ask are there good companies that can find out information just by giving an NI number and name?

Brie

Aviva has a "find & combine" service which will do a lot of the work for someone but more than just a name and NI number are required.  No one offers that kind of service including the government (who have been working on it for years apparently).

Aviva is a big enough name to feel comfortable with and unlike some other similar services there's no obligation.  Not used it myself, looked in to it and didn't have the time but I was just looking out of curiosity as I know all the pensions I have been in etc (ex pension admin so have had a professional interest)

Marcon

Pjpern said:

I'm trying to find past pensions for a friend of mine who doesn't have much of a clue as far as companies that she's worked for before. I see online many companies longing to do this but I'm a bit wary of giving NI number and details. Can I ask are there good companies that can find out information just by giving an NI number and name?

Has she started with the obvious place: https://www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details

If not, give that a go first!

Aviva's servicer can only help if she knows the names of the provider(s).

squirrelpie

It might be worth trying to get the friend to remember more details. If you can anchor a starting point when they started work maybe and then try to remember why they left that place and where they moved to. How many places have they lived? Can they remember those? Past home addresses might be useful as well. All assuming they don't have any paperwork hidden away.

Marcon

Worth a SAR - see https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6267734/is-there-a-really-detailed-online-method-to-check-nics#latest (sorry, it's a long post! - my post of 15 May 2021 is her starter for 10) which would give her employment history as well as details of any periods when she was contracted out of the state additional pension, which should all help.

Pjpern

Marcon said:

Worth a SAR - see https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6267734/is-there-a-really-detailed-online-method-to-check-nics#latest (sorry, it's a long post! - my post of 15 May 2021 is her starter for 10) which would give her employment history as well as details of any periods when she was contracted out of the state additional pension, which should all help.

Very useful! I have filled out the form  with this URL:
https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/shortforms/form/DPU_SAR_NI?_ga=2.230026460.1544670040.1621021753-1315656139.1609178084
Hopefully, they will recieve something which I will be able to start something. It's very difficult doing these things for someone who is ill. Thank you all for your help in this. What a great lot of people!

Pjpern

May well be useful to others!

Very useful for those who need info on where exactly they have worked in the past. ! I have filled out the form  with this URL:
https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/shortforms/form/DPU_SAR_NI?_ga=2.230026460.1544670040.1621021753-1315656139.1609178084
Hopefully, they will recieve something which I will be able to start something. It's very difficult doing these things for someone who is ill. Thank you all for your help in this. What a great lot of people!