How to Find Your Super and Manage Lost Accounts

Superannuation, often referred to as “super,” is Australia’s mandatory retirement savings system, designed to provide individuals with financial support in their retirement. Employers contribute a portion of an employee’s earnings into a superannuation fund, which then invests these funds on the employee’s behalf. Over a working career, individuals commonly accumulate multiple super accounts due to changing jobs or other life events. This can lead to accounts being forgotten, becoming inactive, or being classified as “lost” over time. This article guides you through the process of locating and managing these accounts.

Using Government Online Services

The primary and most effective method for locating super accounts is through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) via the MyGov online portal. To begin, you will need an active MyGov account linked to the ATO. If you do not have a MyGov account, you can create one using an email address and setting up two-factor authentication. Linking your MyGov account to the ATO requires answering two questions about your tax record, often using details from a recent notice of assessment, PAYG payment summary, or super fund statement.

Once logged into MyGov and linked to the ATO, navigate to the “Super” section, found under the ATO online services dashboard. Within this section, look for options such as “Manage Super” or “Find Lost Super.” The portal will typically display details of all identified super accounts, fund names, account numbers, and current balances. Any super held by the ATO itself, often due to inactivity or a fund being unable to contact you, will also be listed.

Exploring Other Search Methods

Beyond government online services, other direct approaches can help you locate super accounts. One method involves contacting previous employers directly. Australian employers are legally obligated to contribute a minimum percentage of an employee’s ordinary time earnings to a super fund, known as the Superannuation Guarantee (SG). As of July 1, 2025, this rate is 12%. You can request information from your former employers regarding the super fund they used and the account name.

Another approach is to directly contact super funds you may have previously held an account with. When contacting a super fund, it is helpful to have identifying information ready, such as your full name, date of birth, Tax File Number (TFN), and any previous addresses you may have used. Super funds maintain records of their members, and providing these details can assist them in locating your account and providing you with current information.

Managing Found Accounts

Once you have located your super accounts, assessing your options for managing them is important. Many individuals choose to consolidate multiple super accounts into a single fund. This consolidation can streamline management, potentially reduce the number of administration fees paid across multiple accounts, and simplify tracking your retirement savings. Each super account typically incurs separate administration and investment fees, which can range from a fixed annual fee to a percentage of your balance, often between 1% to 1.5% of the account balance annually.

Consolidating super can often be done directly through the MyGov portal by selecting the option to transfer super between accounts. Alternatively, you can contact your preferred super fund and request a rollover of funds from other accounts into your chosen fund.

Before consolidating, it is advisable to review the details of each account, including their current balances, the specific fees charged, and any insurance coverage attached to the accounts, such as life or total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance. Finally, ensuring your contact information, including your address, phone number, and email, is updated with your chosen super fund and the ATO helps prevent future accounts from becoming lost or inactive.