u/SHinQ8

Would really appreciate help as I have very little idea on how best to go forward. One of my previous employers paid into Scottish Widows which currently has a balance of £12K. I would like to take10K as a lump sum.

Could this trigger anything bad for me? Would I have to pay tax? I have never touched any of the pots or cashed anything related to pension in the past. I could take a £10K loan as my credit rating is fine - But would like to avoid as I hate loans.

I haven't yet spoken to Scottish Widows so see what the process is for taking a lump sum.

Any help / suggestions would be very welcome.

Hi all - I worked at University of London (1.5 years in the 1980s) and The City University (1.5 years also in the 1980s). I have tried to trace my pension contributions at both and they are unable to find my details.

I was in my 20s at the time and pension wasn't something I was worried about. I do recall staff retiring and going on about how good the pension was.

I am now 67 (still working) trying to trace my pensions. Managed to trace all but the two stints at the universities.

Anyone able to help - PLEASE.

Interesting story - I bought BT shares for my wife as a wedding anniversary present way back! Totally forgot about them till a few months ago noticed a charge on our NatWest Bank statement for £25 for safe deposit of some document. The account used to be just for my wife but made a joint account about 5 years ago. No idea how long they've been charging for storing the documents. Neither of us remember ever remember asking the bank to store anything.

Anyway - asked them to cancel and return whatever they were holding. Turned out to be BT share certificate (200 Shares).

Contacted BT and was forwarded to some entity called Equiniti they wanted a 11 digit reference number but our share certificate only has 1 10 digit ref number.

They said the shares are invalid.

Seems strange that any money invested is not zero - Anyone is similar position (unlikely I know).