Could you be missing out on thousands in lost super?

What “lost” or “unclaimed” super actually means

Super doesn’t vanish, but it can go missing from your radar. It typically happens when an account becomes inactive and your super fund can’t contact you, or when you end up with multiple funds over the years.

The ATO also holds certain amounts of super on behalf of individuals, for example, small inactive balances that have been transferred to the ATO, or other unclaimed amounts.

The average amount of lost or unclaimed super is around $2,590 per person. That might not sound lifechanging today, but over time it can grow into tens of thousands by retirement.

A special note if you have an SMSF

If you have an SMSF, this ATO update is particularly worth paying attention to. When you established your SMSF, you might have transferred most of your super across, but kept some behind, for example, to retain insurance cover through another fund. That means there could still be older super accounts from past jobs or retail/industry funds sitting in your name.

The ATO is urging SMSF members to do a check, because a share of the $18.9 billion in lost and unclaimed super might be yours and could be rolled into your SMSF.

One important practical tip is that if you locate lost super and want to move it into your SMSF, but your SMSF doesn’t show up as a transfer option in ATO online services, it’s often due to the fund’s compliance status. Take a moment to confirm your SMSF is listed as “complying” or “registered” on Super Fund Lookup.

How to check for lost super (it only takes minutes)

The ATO has made this super simple (pun intended!). You can:

1. Log in to myGov and go to ATO online services
2. Navigate to the Super section to view:
   • Super held by the ATO
   • Any lost or unclaimed accounts
3. Request a transfer to an eligible super account.

Even if you don’t find anything, you’ll at least know everything is where it should be.

Simple habits that help you stay on top of super

Finding lost super is great but preventing it from happening at all is even better. A few easy habits can make a big difference:

• Keep your details up to date with your fund and the ATO so you stay contactable.
• Check whether you’ve got more than one account. Multiple accounts can mean multiple fees and duplicated insurance.
• Consider consolidating if it suits your situation. Fewer accounts can mean lower fees and easier management but just be sure to check any insurance you might lose before rolling over.
• Read your annual statement. It’s a quick way to confirm contributions, fees, returns, investment mix and beneficiaries.

Why acting now matters

Since 2022, the ATO has already reunited Australians with about $5.5 billion in previously unclaimed super. But there’s still nearly $19 billion waiting to be found. A few minutes today could translate into a healthier retirement balance later.

Final word

It’s easy to put super in the “deal with it later” basket, but it’s still your hard-earned money. If you want a hand finding lost super, combining accounts, or moving money into your SMSF, reach out to us. We can guide you through the steps and make sure you’re able to claim any lost super without any hassles.