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How to find your lost superannuation

If you’ve changed your name, contact details or started a new job, you may have more than one super account. With a quick search, you can check for any missing superannuation and combine your super accounts.  

Here’s how to do it.

  • Having multiple super accounts could mean you’re paying more fees
  • A quick search can help you identify if you have multiple accounts or super held with the ATO
  • Learn how to find any missing super and consolidate it into one account so it’s easier to manage

Why your superannuation might be missing

It’s easy to lose track of your super. If you’ve changed jobs and your employer opened a new super account for you, you might have forgotten about your other account that’s no longer receiving super contributions. This can also happen if you move house, take time off work, or live overseas for a while.

The good news is that your super isn’t actually missing.

There are only two places it can be – with your previous super fund, or with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) waiting for you to claim it. If it’s with the ATO it’s likely because your super fund has been unable to contact you for some time or your account has been inactive.

With a few simple steps, you can find any lost superannuation you might have and decide what you want to do with it.

How to find and consolidate lost super for Essential Super members

If you’re an Essential Super member, you can locate lost super online using NetBank.

  1. Log in to NetBank
  2. Click on your Essential Super account
  3. Click on ’Consolidate’

This will take you to the Colonial First State (CFS) portal where you can consent for the Trustee to run a SuperMatch search for any other super accounts you may have. Once this is completed, you’ll be able to consolidate funds from there.

If you have any issues transferring your super, call CFS on 13 4074, 8:30am – 6pm (Sydney/Melbourne time), Monday – Friday. If you’re overseas, call +61 2 9303 3000.

How to find and consolidate lost super via the ATO

Alternatively, you can also locate your super via the ATO service linked to your myGov account  You’ll be able to see details of all your super accounts as well as ATO-held super. There are steps via the portal to follow which enable you to specify which funds you want to transfer out of, and which one into.

If you don’t have a myGov account, you can call the ATO’s automated super line on 13 28 65 (you’ll need to have your Tax File Number handy). Or you can complete this form.

Things to know before consolidating your super

Consolidating your super can help you save on fees since each account charges separately – even if they aren’t receiving super contributions.

If you decide to consolidate your super, you’ll need to choose which account to consolidate to.

Here are a few considerations when choosing which super account to transfer to:

  • Available investment options
  • Administration fees
  • Insurance cover and premiums 
  • Investment returns

 

Ready to search for your lost super?

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Things you should know

1Figure presented as at 30 June 2023, published by the ATO.

This is general advice only. It does not take your personal objectives, financial or taxation situation or other needs into account. Before acting, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

Avanteos Investments Limited ABN 20 096 259 979, AFSL 245531 (AIL) is the Trustee of Essential Super ABN 56 601 925 435 and the issuer of interests in Essential Super. Essential Super is distributed by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank). Colonial First State (CFS) is Superannuation and Investments HoldCo Pty Limited ABN 64 644 660 882 (HoldCo) and its subsidiaries which include AIL. The Bank holds an interest in CFS through its significant minority interest in HoldCo.

This information is issued by AIL and may include general financial product advice but does not consider your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or tax circumstances, and so you should consider the appropriateness of the advice having regard to your circumstances before acting on it. The Target Market Determination (TMD) for Essential Super can be found at cfs.com.au/tmd and includes a description of who the financial product is appropriate for and any conditions on how the product can be distributed to customers. You should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Reference Guides for Essential Super carefully and consider whether the information is appropriate for you before making any decision regarding this product. Download the PDS and Reference Guides at commbank.com.au/essentialsuper-documents or call us on 13 4074 for a copy. Neither the Bank, AIL, CFS, nor any of their respective subsidiaries guarantee the performance of Essential Super or the repayment of capital by Essential Super. An investment in this product is subject to risk, loss of income and capital invested. An investment in Essential Super is via a superannuation trust and is therefore not an investment in, deposit with or other liability of the Bank or its subsidiaries. Where we mention ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’, we mean AIL.

Any information provided by CBA may include general financial product advice but does not consider your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or tax circumstances, and so you should consider the appropriateness of the advice having regard to your circumstances before acting on it.  You should read the PDS and the Reference Guides for Essential Super carefully and consider whether the information is appropriate for you before making any decision regarding this product.