If you are in the Local Government Pension Scheme ...

[headinclowds]

... do you have an account number, or do they just use your NI number?

My son is trying to transfer a small historic pension pot to his current pension provider. They don't seem to believe that he doesn't have an account number, but his past documentation only ever used his NI number.

I don't know but no new pension will give as much as the LGPS, even the more recent versions, has your son taken financial advice?

It depends which software the LGPS fund uses. There’s two main software providers - one uses NI number only, the other does give each record a unique number which could be called an ‘account number’ (but even the funds using the second software providers would probably still use NI number as the default).

He needs to phone the local authority pension provider he’s trying to transfer out of. They’ll locate him on the database / records with the NI number and give him the account or reference number he needs if he tells them what he’s trying to do.

He worked there less than 2 years, so doesn't qualify to remain in the scheme. His options are to transfer or withdraw. Withdrawal will automatically lose him 20%, even though he didn't earn enough to be a tax payer in the relevant years, so it's a no-brainer to transfer it.

I've just checked my LGPS statements. There is no account number/reference, just my name, employers details/role and NI number.
Your son should have received information about his withdrawal/transfer options after leaving the scheme. It's best to contact the pension provider

As above and he needs to ensure he transfers in within a year of starting with the LGPS. You haven’t asked about this but it’s worth him looking into additional voluntary contributions (AVC’s) if he wants to pay extra into his pension.

Yes, he got those. It was a while ago, as he has been to uni in the meantime. He deferred the transfer until he got his first grad job.

He has been talking to the scheme administrators, but they reply more slowly than Mumsnet. They have now responded to confirm there is no account number.

Thanks all for your help.

He isnt transferring in to the scheme. He is transferring out of LGPS as he was in the scheme less than 2 years.