How to Check Your Super Balance and Find Lost Accounts

Superannuation, often called “super,” is a key part of financial planning for retirement in Australia. It involves regular contributions by employers into a fund, accumulating money and investment earnings to support individuals during retirement. Regularly checking your super balance and account details is important for tracking savings, ensuring contribution accuracy, and monitoring investment performance.

Gathering Necessary Information

Before checking your superannuation balance or searching for lost accounts, gather specific personal and financial information. You will need your full legal name, date of birth, and current address. Any previous addresses are also helpful, as super accounts may be linked to older contact details.

Your Tax File Number (TFN), a unique nine-digit number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), is important for superannuation. Providing your TFN to your super fund ensures contributions are taxed at the correct rate, avoiding a higher default rate. Without a TFN, you may also face limitations in accessing certain government services or finding lost super.

Compile any existing superannuation fund details you possess, such as old statements, member numbers, or names of super funds you previously belonged to. Even seemingly insignificant details can assist in locating forgotten accounts. A Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI) can also be beneficial; this unique code is used by super funds to ensure contributions are directed accurately and can be found on your annual super statement or the fund’s website.

Using Government Online Services

The Australian government provides online services to access and manage superannuation details. MyGov, which links to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), is the primary platform. Through linked ATO services, you can view your super accounts, search for lost super, and consolidate multiple accounts.

To begin, you will need a myGov account. If you do not have one, create an account by visiting the myGov website and following the prompts, including linking your Australian mobile number for security codes. Once your myGov account is established, link it to the ATO. This is done by signing into myGov, navigating to “View and link services,” and selecting “Link” next to the Australian Taxation Office. You will need to provide personal details, including your Tax File Number, to verify your tax record.

After linking your ATO account to myGov, access your superannuation information. Within the myGov portal, select the “Australian Taxation Office” service, then navigate to the “Super” section. This area allows you to view details of all super accounts reported to the ATO under your name, including any lost accounts or super held directly by the ATO. You can also see current super balances, employer contributions, and a summary of your personal contributions.

Contacting Your Super Fund Directly

While government online services provide an overview, directly contacting your super fund can offer more specific and detailed information about your account. If you know the name of your super fund, find their contact details, including phone numbers and website information, on their official website or old superannuation statements.

When you contact your super fund, they will ask for specific information to verify your identity to protect your account from unauthorized access. This includes your full name, date of birth, current address, and your Tax File Number. Some funds may also request details from identity documents or ask for answers to security questions you may have set up.

Once your identity is verified, your super fund can provide detailed information about your account. This includes your current balance, transaction history, investment options, and any insurance coverage held through that super account. They can also assist with queries about contribution processing, fee structures, and withdrawal conditions.

Managing Found and Lost Super

Once you have located your superannuation accounts, especially if you have multiple or lost super, you can manage these funds effectively. Many Australians accumulate more than one super account due to changing jobs. Consolidating multiple super accounts into one chosen fund can simplify management and potentially reduce fees.

You can initiate the consolidation process through the ATO via your myGov account. After logging in and selecting the ATO service, navigate to the “Super” section, then “Manage,” and select “Transfer super.” This will display your super accounts, allowing you to select which accounts to transfer. Be aware that consolidating accounts may affect any insurance coverage held with existing funds. Alternatively, you can contact your chosen super fund directly and request to roll over your other accounts into theirs. They will provide a form or process to facilitate this transfer.

For superannuation identified as “lost” and held by the ATO, you can claim these funds through your myGov account linked to the ATO. The ATO holds super on your behalf when a super fund or employer cannot locate an active account for you. Within the super section of the myGov ATO service, you can find and initiate the process to claim these amounts. Once claimed, the ATO will facilitate the transfer of these funds to your nominated active super account.