Finding an old pension I paid into years ago

Sconsey · 25-01-2024 4:56pm #1

Is anyone aware of a system to find an old pension. I started work straight out of college in the late 90's, I got in with a multi-national and was paying into a defined benefits pension. After a short period (maybe three years) I quit the job and went back to college. Finished college and started working again in other companies.

It occurred to me that I never get any kind of communication about what happened to that pension, I know it is not huge money and I am more curious than anything else. The company itself is long gone, it does not exist anymore so no clue who to contact. I am wondering is there some kind of pension database out there that has my PPS number associated with that pension scheme. Could I submit my PPS number to revenue or someone to help me find what has happened to the pension? Would the trustees still be registered somewhere?

allybhoy · 25-01-2024 5:06pm

I had a very similar situation, was paying in to a mandatory pension scheme for 3 years and left. Was never given any details etc regarding same, managed to track it down last year and the value was roughly 30k so definitely try to find it. In my case my previous company was taken over by another company so after a few phone calls and emails they managed to locate it and the fund and then i got ownership.

In your instance, it might be a bit more difficult but i would reccomend contacting https://pensionsauthority.ie/ first to see if they can offer advise. Have you any records that might help your case? Payslips, emails, legacy company details etc. I would try and gather as much information as possible beforehand.

You could also try this service...it says its free, I have never used them but might be worth a try

https://irishpensions.ie/pension-tracing-service/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAqsitBhDlARIsAGMR1RgYy90bT3_ClyyNR6ZPi-QvBAZjZqEcFJ4aUM-G0r4LTf8Es7uDBqEaAjXJEALw_wcB

The J Stands for Jay · 25-01-2024 9:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121671500#Comment_121671500

Irishpensions.ie is a broker who will try to sell you a product. They are not a free service for finding pensions

allybhoy · 26-01-2024 9:24am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121672663#Comment_121672663

As i said, ive never used them before, but if they track the pension down and have a service charge of say 10-20%% surely 90-80% of something is better than 100% of nothing

The J Stands for Jay · 26-01-2024 9:36am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121674082#Comment_121674082

You'd be better off writing a letter asking for details of any pension on your name, making a load of copies and sending it to all the pension providers (there's not many) and pension administrators (Mercer and Aon, not aware of any others). The Pensions Authority can also give advice on how to track down old pensions.

Better the cost of some stamps, paper and time than 10% of your pension.

greyday · 26-01-2024 9:39am

I had not got any correspondence from pension company I previously had pension with until end of last year when out of the blue they contacted me due to change in legislation requiring them to verify my details and to provide me with statement of benefits due in the future, I would not be paying 10-20% of fund to try and find pension when it should be fairly straight forward to locate yourself, a friend in the insurance industry should be able to point you in the right direction.

https://nationalpensionhelpline.ie/pension-advice/trace-my-pension-ireland/

Think this lot are free....

Simply fill in the assessment form and a Central Bank regulated pension advisor will be in touch to discuss your options. This is a 100% cost and commitment free service.

The J Stands for Jay · 28-01-2024 8:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121674123#Comment_121674123

This is another insurance salesman making their website look like an official government service, whereas in reality it is a source of sales leads for them.

greyday · 29-01-2024 3:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121686350#Comment_121686350

Apologies, the quote was directly from website.

jhegarty · 29-01-2024 3:16pm

Try contacting some people who also used to work there on LinkedIn. People who had long tenure and less lightly to have lost their details. All you need is pension provider name to get started.

coylemj · 29-01-2024 3:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121686350#Comment_121686350

+1 The inspiration for the name probably came from the UK 'National Accident Helpline', a crowd who solicit personal injury claims. Their website says that when you call them 'you'll be transferred from our Personal Injury Advice Centre to one of our partner solicitor firms.'

Like the 'National Pensions Helpline' mentioned above, it's a harvesting operation.

Finding an old pension I paid into years ago

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