More than £100 million in unclaimed Premium Bond prizes is currently sitting untouched in the UK. From modest £25 wins to life changing £100,000 jackpots, these prizes are waiting for their rightful owners. Many go unclaimed simply because bondholders forget about old accounts or fail to update their details.
In this guide, we’ll explain what unclaimed Premium Bond prizes are, why they go unclaimed, and most importantly how you can check and claim your winnings today.
What Are Unclaimed Premium Bond Prizes?
Premium Bonds, issued by National Savings and Investments (NS&I), are a unique savings product. Instead of earning interest, your money enters a monthly prize draw for tax-free winnings ranging from £25 to £1 million.
Currently, over 2.5 million unclaimed Premium Bond prizes worth more than £100 million remain uncollected across the UK. This includes 11 prizes of £100,000 and 19 prizes of £50,000. In Kent alone, 67,480 prizes worth £2.5 million are unclaimed the largest being £50,000.
Shockingly, the oldest unclaimed prize dates back to 1964: a £25 win that has never been claimed.
Why Do Unclaimed Premium Bond Prizes Happen?
The reasons are surprisingly simple:
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Outdated contact details – Savers move but forget to tell NS&I.
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Forgotten accounts – Especially bonds given as gifts or purchased decades ago.
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Dormant accounts – As of March 2025, more than 12 million accounts have seen no transactions since 1995.
While NS&I has reunited 99% of prizes since the scheme began in 1956, critics say the tracing process can be overly complex particularly for those with only paper records.
The Scale of Unclaimed Premium Bond
Nearly 23 million people hold Premium Bonds, with a combined value of over £130 billion. Yet only 5 million savers won prizes between March 2024 and February 2025.
In the 2024–25 financial year alone, NS&I reunited £166 million with 52,693 account holders. While this sounds impressive, it still leaves a huge £100 million unclaimed.
Campaigners are now calling for reforms to make it easier for people to trace and claim their winnings.
How to Check for Unclaimed Premium Bond Prizes
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Use the NS&I Prize Checker
Visit NS&I’s prize checker or download their app. You’ll need your bondholder number or NS&I number. -
Lost Your Details?
Use NS&I’s tracing service, available online, by phone, or via post. -
Update Your Contact Details
Log in to your NS&I account and ensure your details are correct to avoid missing future wins. -
Check Dormant Accounts
Try the My Lost Account service. It’s free and can help track down forgotten savings.
Why Unclaimed Premium Bond Prizes Matter Now
With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, even a small win could provide financial relief. For some, a £100,000 unclaimed prize could be life-changing.
Money expert Iona Bain has called NS&I’s tracing process “rigid” and “bureaucratic,” urging reforms to make it easier for savers to claim.
Tips to Avoid Unclaimed Premium Bond Prizes
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Keep your details updated – Every time you move or change your phone/email.
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Opt for automatic payments – Have prizes paid directly to your bank.
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Reinvest winnings – Automatically purchase more bonds with your winnings.
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Check regularly – Use the NS&I app monthly to stay updated.
The Bigger Picture on Unclaimed Premium Bond Prizes
Premium Bonds remain the UK’s most popular savings product, but their lottery-style nature means not everyone wins. The large volume of unclaimed Premium Bond prizes highlights inefficiencies in the current system.
Experts believe a modernised, simpler tracing process could quickly reunite people with their money. NS&I recommends savers use its online tools and apps for the fastest results.
Take Action Today to Claim Your Unclaimed Premium Bond Prizes
Don’t let your winnings slip through the cracks. Check your bonds now, update your details, and set up direct payments to secure your prizes.
You could be sitting on a life-changing amount without even knowing it. Take just five minutes to check your future self might thank you.
For official help, visit NS&I’s website and How to Declare Additional Income and Premium Bond Winnings.
