Billions of dollars in superannuation sit lost or unclaimed across Australia. Here’s how to find lost super in your name, step by step, using myGov and the ATO, free of charge.
If you’ve changed jobs, moved house, or worked casually over the years, there’s a real chance you have superannuation you’ve lost track of. If you’re making an insurance claim, you may also be asked to confirm details of your super, including any lost or unclaimed amounts held in your name. The good news is that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) keeps track of lost and unclaimed super and lets you search for it online at no cost. This guide walks you through exactly how to find lost super and bring it back together.
What Counts as “Lost” or “Unclaimed” Super
Before you start searching, it helps to understand the two categories the ATO uses:
- Lost super is super still held by your fund when the fund cannot contact you, or your account has been inactive for a period of time.
- Unclaimed (ATO-held) super is money your fund has already transferred to the ATO to hold on your behalf, for example from inactive low-balance accounts.
Both types can be located and claimed through the ATO, and this guide covers how to find each of them.
Step 1: Set Up or Log In to myGov
The ATO’s online services are accessed through myGov. To get started:
- Go to my.gov.au.
- Log in to your existing myGov account, or select Create an account if you don’t have one.
- Once logged in, make sure your myGov account is linked to the Australian Taxation Office. Select Services, then link the ATO if it isn’t already connected.
Step 2: Search for Lost or Unclaimed Super
Once you’re linked to the ATO through myGov, you can check for lost super online:
- Log in to ATO online services via myGov.
- Select Super.
- Select Fund details.
If you have a lost member account, the words Contact fund will appear next to that super fund’s name. Any super your fund has transferred to the ATO will appear separately as ATO-held super. You can also check and manage your super using the ATO app, which shows your balance and lets you find and consolidate lost or unclaimed accounts.
Step 3: Information You May Need
If your details can’t be matched automatically, or you’re searching by phone or paper form, have the following ready:
- Tax File Number (TFN)
- Full name, including any previous or maiden names
- Date of birth
- Current postal address, plus any previous addresses
- Daytime phone number and email address
- Employment details (past employers), if relevant
- Visa status, if applicable
- Name and member number of any super fund you believe may hold your money, if known
If you can’t find an account online, it usually means the ATO doesn’t hold all your information, your details don’t match the account, or there’s no super currently held for you. Keeping your personal details up to date with the ATO improves the chances of a match.
Other Ways to Search
If you’d rather not search online, or you can’t be matched automatically, there are a few alternatives:
- Automated Super Search line: A self-service option using your TFN. Call 13 28 65.
- ATO superannuation enquiries line: If you can’t use the automated line, call 13 10 20.
- Paper form: “Searching for lost and unclaimed super” (NAT 2476), available on the ATO website.
Making an insurance claim?
If you’re providing super information for a claim, keep a copy or screenshot of your Fund details screen (showing balances, fund names, and member numbers) to give to your insurer or claims consultant.
Once You’ve Located Your Super
From the same Super screen in ATO online services, you can transfer ATO-held super to an eligible active account, or consolidate multiple accounts into one. Bringing your super together in one place can reduce duplicate fees and make it easier to keep track of, though it’s worth checking any insurance attached to an account before you close it, as consolidating can cancel cover you may want to keep.
Why Lost Super Matters for Insurance Claims
Many Australians hold life, total and permanent disability (TPD), or income protection insurance inside their super without realising it. That means a lost or forgotten super account could also hold valuable insurance cover, and a potential claim you didn’t know you had.
When you locate your lost super, it’s worth checking whether any insurance is attached to those accounts. If you think you may have a claim, or you’ve been asked to provide super details as part of an existing claim, the team at Insurance Claims Solutions can help you understand what cover you hold and how to pursue it.
Useful Links
- myGov login
- ATO: Searching for lost and unclaimed super
- ATO: Keeping track of your super online
- ATO: ATO-held super
Found super with insurance attached?
Lost super often comes with life, TPD, or income protection cover you may be entitled to claim. If you’re not sure what you hold, we can help you find out and guide you through the process.
Conclusion
Finding lost super is easier than many people expect, and it’s completely free through the ATO. By setting up myGov, linking the ATO, and checking your fund details, you can find lost super in your name in a matter of minutes, then consolidate it or put it to work. And if any of that super carries insurance cover, you may have a valuable claim waiting to be made.
If you have questions about what your insurer needs, or you’d like a hand working through a super-related insurance claim, the team at Insurance Claims Solutions is here to help. Call us on 1800 950 701 or get in touch through our website.
This guide is general information only and is not financial or legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, contact the ATO directly or speak with a licensed financial adviser.
