How do you find lost bank accounts and pensions after a death?
Last reviewed October 2026
Two free UK services do most of the work. My Lost Account, run by UK Finance, the Building Societies Association and NS&I, searches participating banks, building societies and NS&I for accounts in the person's name. The Pension Tracing Service on GOV.UK gives contact details for workplace and personal pension schemes they may have belonged to. Also check post, bank statements and their email for regular payments, which often reveal accounts, insurance and subscriptions nobody knew about.
Clues worth checking
Most forgotten accounts show up in paperwork.
- Bank statements, for standing orders and transfers
- Annual statements in the post or email
- Payslips and P60s, for workplace pensions
- Tax returns, for interest and dividends
Frequently asked questions
Is My Lost Account free?
Yes. You need to show you are entitled to ask, for example as executor or next of kin.
Does the Pension Tracing Service tell me the value?
No. It gives the scheme's contact details. You then contact the scheme about any benefits.
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