Finding lost or unclaimed super may be easier than you think — the search should only take a few minutes.
Super gets lost if your super fund can’t contact you, or if your account is inactive.
There’s a difference between “lost” and “unclaimed” super.
When your super fund has lost contact with you and your account hasn’t received a contribution or rollover for 12 months, your super is classified as lost.
When your account hasn’t received a rollover or contribution for 16 months and your balance is less than $6000, your super will be transferred to the ATO as unclaimed super.
The ATO will hold this unclaimed super until it can be transferred to your active super account, or paid directly to you if you’re eligible.
Want to be reunited with your retirement savings? It’s quick and easy to search for missing super.
You can check for any lost or unclaimed super by logging in to your online account, clicking on the ‘Combine’ tab and following the prompts. Remember to have your ID documents handy.
Log in to search for lost super
You can search for your lost or unclaimed super by:
Moving your super into one account means you’ll cut down on admin and avoid paying multiple fees which can eat into your balance.
Plus, you’ll maximise potential returns because the more that’s in your super account, the more it can earn.
To combine any other super you have into your HESTA account, log in to your online account and go to the ‘Combine’ tab.
It will only take a few minutes. Make sure you have your ID documents handy.
When you combine your super into one account, your entitlements with your other super fund/s may stop.
Before combining, it’s a good idea to:
Learn more about combining your super.
Would you ever consider throwing thousands of dollars out the window? Preventing your super from getting lost is just as important. Consider these tips to avoid losing your hard-earned retirement savings.
Whenever you change your address, phone number, email or name, let us know by updating your personal details. You can also complete the Change of member details form (PDF) and send it back to us.
You can quickly and easily keep track of your super by logging in to your online account or checking in on the HESTA App.
Consider combining all your super into one account. It’s easier to keep track of one super account, and you’ll avoid paying multiple sets of fees.
Your super account can become inactive if there are no contributions or rollovers for 16 months and your balance is less than $6000. If this happens, your super can be transferred to the ATO. Your employer must contribute a minimum of 12% of your salary to your super.
You can make your own contributions to your super account too.
If you’re starting a new job, share your super fund details with your employer so your contributions arrive in your current account. If you’re a HESTA member, you can complete the Choice of fund form (PDF) and give it to your employer.
You might also be asked to provide a Letter of compliance (PDF).
You can sign into your myGov account and use the ATO online services to search for lost or unclaimed super.
If you don’t have a myGov account, you can register here.
If your super is with a ‘stapled’ fund, it should follow you from job to job, so you don’t need to do anything when you start a new job.
Stapling means an existing super account that is linked or ‘stapled’ to you. When you start a new job, your employer should ask you for your super fund details so you don’t have to open a new super account, unless you want to.
If you don’t have a stapled fund, or if you want to change funds, you can nominate a new fund and roll over any existing super into your new account.
We’re here to keep your super safe, so it’s important we can confirm your identity before you claim any lost super. This policy also complies with Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing laws and other regulatory requirements.
To search for lost super through your HESTA account, you'll need your tax file number and two forms of ID, which can be your driver's licence, Medicare card, Australian visa, Centrelink concession card, passport, citizenship certificate, or birth certificate.
Super is your money for retirement.
By staying on top of your super, you’ll be able to check how much super you’re being paid by your employer, as well as any insurance benefits you may have through your super account.
You can also choose how you want to invest and grow your savings, so you can face the future with confidence.