Need to know
- According to the latest data, Australians have a staggering $17.8 billion in lost or unclaimed super
- You can check if you have lost super and claim it online, on the phone, by mail or by contacting your current fund
Many Australians have super accounts they don't know about or have forgotten.
It's easy to lose track of your super when you change jobs, move house or change your name.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has reported that there were more than seven million accounts with lost or unclaimed super as of 30 June 2024.
On this page:
- How to find your lost super through MyGov
- How to find your lost super by phone
- How to find your lost super by mail
- If you need help finding your lost super
- Don't pay someone to check if you have lost super
What is lost and unclaimed super?
Lost super is when a super fund manages your money but loses contact with you, or your account becomes inactive.
Sometimes, when the fund has lost contact with the member for a long time, they're legally required to transfer this money to the ATO. This money is called unclaimed super (or ATO-held super). The ATO looks after this super until you claim it.
The good news is it's usually easy to find your lost super and roll it into your main super account.
Consolidating all your super into one account can help you save on fees, avoid paying for duplicate insurance policies, and ultimately retire with more. It's also much easier to keep track of your super when you have a single account.
How to find your lost super through MyGov
- Log in to MyGov and then click on 'Australian Taxation Office'
- Once you're on this page, click on 'Super' in the top menu
- Then click on 'Fund details' to check for lost super.
From this page, you can transfer your lost super to your current super account. If you're over 65 or have less than $200 in unclaimed super, you can also get the ATO to pay you directly.
How to find your lost super by phone
- Call the automated Lost Super line on 13 28 65
- Follow the voice prompts for lost super. You'll need to provide some personal details, such as your date of birth and tax file number. (If you don't know your Tax File Number, sign in to MyGov, click on 'Australian Taxation Office' and then on 'Personal details').
Note that this service only works for lost (not unclaimed) super. To do a full search, you'll need to use MyGov.
How to find your lost super by mail
If you'd prefer to complete a paper form, you can print one from the ATO website. If you know of any funds that previously looked after your super, you can enter the details on this form.Once you've filled it in, mail the form to: Australian Taxation Office PO Box 3578Albury NSW 2640.
Your fund can find lost super
Many super funds now offer a free tool to help you combine your old super accounts from other funds into your current one.
If you're happy with your current fund, this can be a convenient way to round up your old super. Talk to your fund for details
If you need help finding your lost super
An ATO spokesperson told Super Consumers Australia that anyone who needs more help searching for their lost super can call the ATO's Contact Centre. You can reach this centre on 13 28 61.
First Nations people can call the ATO Indigenous helpline on 13 10 30 to locate and reconnect with their super.
The ATO also said it participates in First Nation Foundation's Financial Wellness Week events. You can get face-to-face help with locating your lost super at these events.
Don't pay someone to check if you have lost super
Recently, we've seen some businesses popping up offering to check if you have lost super and claim it for you for a fee.
Super Consumers Australia policy manager Rebekah Sarkoezy says you should avoid these services, which the government should prohibit.
"Finding and claiming your lost super is designed to be a free and easy process," she says.
"If you need help with the process, you can contact a financial counsellor for free and independent guidance."
You can find a financial counsellor by calling 1800 007 007.
This content was produced by Super Consumers Australia which is an independent, nonprofit consumer organisation partnering with CHOICE to advance and protect the interests of people in the Australian superannuation system.
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
