If you’ve ever had a job in Australia, even short-term, your employer probably paid money into a super fund for you.
This money is yours – even if you’ve moved, changed names, stopped using your old phone or email, or never signed up for an account.
To find out how much you have you can:
- search on your myGov account, which can be linked to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- call the ATO automated super search line on 13 28 65
- call and speak to someone at the ATO on 13 10 20
There’s more than $17 billion in lost and unclaimed super in Australia. People have found thousands of dollars they didn’t know they had.
What is super
Super is money set aside for your retirement while you’re working.
If you’re eligible, your employer will put some of your pay into a super fund, who invests the money for you.
You can access your super when you turn 60 and retire from work or when you turn 65 even if you keep working. You might be able to access some of it earlier if you get sick or find yourself in trouble.
Even if you don’t remember opening a super account, you might still have money in super, so it’s worth checking.
How to check if you have super
You can check if you have super online, by phone, by mail or in person.
Online
Visit the ATO at myGov and log in.
myGov will show what super accounts you have and how much is in them.
If you see a super account listed, you have super.
By phone
If you know your tax file number, call the ATO’s lost super search line on 13 28 65. They can check if you have super.
If you don’t know your tax file number, call the ATO on 13 10 20.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can call the ATO’s Indigenous helpline on 13 10 30.
By mail
Download a form to search for lost and unclaimed super from the ATO’s website. Print, fill out and post to the address on the form.
In person
Services Australia has service centres, mobile service centres, agents, and access points across Australia. They can help you contact the ATO, use the phone, and access a computer and printer.
Find your nearest Services Australia location.
Service centres, mobile service centres and agents have staff to help you. Access points are self-service.
What to do when you find super
The ATO will tell you if you have super and who’s holding it – either the ATO or a super fund.
If the ATO is holding it, they will explain how to claim it.
If a super fund is holding it, the ATO will give you the fund’s contact details.
Either way, you will need to prove who you are before you get the money.
What you need to prove it’s your super
To get access to your super, you’ll need to show who you are. This protects your money from someone else claiming it.
You can use identification (ID) like a driver’s licence, Medicare card or proof of age card.
If you don’t have ID, or if your ID doesn’t match the details on your super, you can still prove who you are.
Superannuation funds can have different ID requirements. So, once you know where your super is, give that fund a call and find out what types of ID they’ll accept.
Examples could be letters from government agencies, membership cards or community ID, or even a statement from a trusted person who knows you, like a health worker, teacher, Elder or community leader.
If you find it difficult to deal with the super fund, call the ATO, visit Services Australia, or get in touch with us.
Keep track of your super
When you have found your super, it’s worth making sure you don’t lose it again. Make sure the contact details your super fund has for you are all up to date.
Other things you can do to help you keep track of your super are:
- Consider putting all your super into one account – contact us to find out if this option is right for you.
- Checking the super statement your fund will send you each year.
- Using your fund’s website, and downloading their app.
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Source: ASIC MoneySmart
