Leslie Massey
If you've ever changed jobs, lived overseas, or changed your name or address, you may have lost track of your superannuation. Your lost super may be held by your super fund or by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). To find lost super online, you will need a myGov account linked to the ATO. You can also ask your preferred super fund to conduct a search on your behalf. The ATO also has an automated super search line that can be reached by phone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lost superannuation may be held by | Your super fund or the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) |
| How to find lost superannuation | Use ATO online services through myGov, or use the ATO app |
| How to use myGov to find lost superannuation | Sign in to myGov, select Australian Taxation Office, select Super, then select from the Information and manage options |
| How to prevent losing superannuation | Ensure your super funds and the ATO have your correct contact details |
| How to update contact details in myGov | Sign in to myGov, select My account, select Profile, select Contact details, select Edit, update details, then select Update |
| How to find other unclaimed money | Use the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's Unclaimed Money Search |
| Lost superannuation may be caused by | Changing your name, address, job, or living overseas |
| Lost superannuation may be held by the ATO if | Your super fund, your employer, or the government can't find an account to deposit your super into |
| Lost superannuation may be held by the ATO if | Your account has less than $6,000 and hasn't received a contribution in 16 months |
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What You'll Learn
Using the ATO online service
To find lost superannuation in Australia, you can use the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) online services through myGov. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
Step 1: Sign up for a myGov account
If you don't already have a myGov account, you will need to create one. You can do this by visiting the myGov website and providing the necessary personal information.
Step 2: Link your myGov account to the ATO
Once you have a myGov account, you will need to link it to the ATO. To do this, log in to your myGov account and select the Australian Taxation Office from the list of available services.
Step 3: Select 'Super'
After linking your account to the ATO, select the 'Super' option. This will allow you to access information about your superannuation, including any lost or unclaimed superannuation.
Step 4: Use the Super health check
The Super health check is a step-by-step guide that will help you look for lost superannuation, consolidate multiple accounts, and prevent future losses. It will also provide you with information on how to transfer your superannuation to a new fund if needed.
Step 5: Contact the ATO for further assistance
If you have any difficulties finding your lost superannuation or using the online services, you can contact the ATO directly. They have a dedicated lost super search line (13 28 65) that you can call, and you can also speak to a customer care representative (13 10 20) who will be able to assist you further.
Remember, it is important to keep your contact details up to date with your super fund and the ATO to avoid losing track of your superannuation in the future.
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Logging into myGov
To begin, you will need to create a myGov account if you don't already have one. You can do this by visiting the myGov website or by downloading the myGov app. Once you have created your account, you will need to link it to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
- Select 'Australian Taxation Office'.
- Select 'Super'.
- Select from the 'Information and Manage' options.
- You can then check your super balances, find lost super, compare super products, choose a new super fund, and transfer your super.
If you have recently opened a new super account, it may take up to six months for it to appear on myGov. Additionally, if you have changed your name, address, or job, or lived overseas, you may need to update your contact details in your myGov account to ensure your super is not lost in the future.
It is important to note that you can also find lost super by contacting your super fund or the ATO directly, or by completing a paper form.
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Locating lost super in multiple accounts
Step 1: Sign in to your myGov account
Go to my.gov.au and log in to your myGov account. If you don't have an account, you can create one and link it to the ATO.
Step 2: Navigate to the Super section
Once you're logged in, select the Australian Taxation Office, then choose 'Super' from the options.
Step 3: Manage your super options
From the Super section, you can select various options to manage your super, including checking your super balances, finding lost super, comparing super products, and choosing a new super fund.
Step 4: Locate lost super
To find lost super, you can use the ATO's online services. Your lost super may be held by your super fund or by the ATO. The ATO holds super on your behalf when your super fund, employer, or the government cannot find an account to deposit your super into.
Step 5: Combine multiple accounts
If you have located lost super in multiple accounts, you can combine these accounts to save on fees. You can transfer all your super money into one fund through your ATO online account via myGov.
Additional Tips:
- Keep your contact details updated with your super funds and the ATO to avoid losing track of your super in the future.
- You can also contact your previous super funds directly to enquire about any lost super.
- If you cannot register for a myGov account, your super fund can search for lost super on your behalf.
- You can also download the ATO app for easy access to some of these services.
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Recovering lost super
If you've ever changed your name, address, job, or lived overseas, you may have lost track of your superannuation. Your lost super may be held by your super fund or by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
To find lost super online, you will need a myGov account linked to the ATO. Once you have that, you can also use the ATO app. The super health check includes step-by-step instructions on looking for lost super, consolidating, and preventing lost super. If you can't register for a myGov account, your super fund can search for lost and unclaimed super on your behalf.
To manage super in your ATO online account, sign in to myGov and select Australian Taxation Office, then Super. You can check your super balances, find lost super, compare super products, choose a new super fund, and transfer your super. If you have more than one super fund, you can transfer all your money into one fund, saving you money by only paying fees on one account.
You can also look for other unclaimed money, such as forgotten bank accounts, through the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's Unclaimed Money Search. While you're there, you can also access links to the unclaimed money registries for each state.
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Consolidating multiple super accounts
If you have multiple super accounts, consolidating them can save you time and money. Having multiple accounts means paying multiple fees, which can reduce your retirement savings. Consolidating your super means moving all your super into one account, making it easier to manage.
Before consolidating, it is important to consider the potential consequences. For example, you may lose insurance benefits associated with your current super funds. Check with your existing super fund about any fees or charges that will apply, as well as any loss of entitlements such as life insurance. The fund you want to transfer to may not accept transfers from other funds, so be sure to check with them as well.
To consolidate your super, you will need to decide which fund you want to transfer your balance to. You can then transfer your balance to the chosen fund by using the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) online services through myGov. Sign in to myGov and select Australian Taxation Office, then Super, and select from the Information and manage options. You can then transfer your super. Alternatively, you can contact your chosen fund to find out about other ways to transfer your balance, such as through a form or an online tool.
If you are unsure about what to do, seek independent financial advice or contact your super fund.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find your lost superannuation by linking your myGov account to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). You can then use the ATO app or website to search for lost super. If you don't have a myGov account, you can call the ATO's automated super search line on 13 28 65 or 13 10 20 to speak with a customer care representative.
You will need your Tax File Number to hand. You may also need to verify your identity and provide consent to use your Tax File Number as part of the search.
If you can't find your lost super online, you can contact your previous super funds. You can also ask your preferred super fund to conduct a search on your behalf.
