If you have a self-managed super fund (SMSF), you could have lost or unclaimed super.
More than $18.9 billion in lost and unclaimed superannuation is currently held across Australia, according to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
This total has increased by $1.1 billion since 2024, showing how quickly super can be forgotten or misplaced.
Why SMSF members should check for lost super
If you manage a self-managed super fund (SMSF) and didn’t roll all your super balances into it when the fund was set up, some of this unclaimed super could still belong to you. Lost super often occurs when employees change jobs, open new super accounts or fail to consolidate older balances.
How to find lost or ATO-held super
You can locate lost and ATO-held super using ATO Online through your myGov account. The search process takes only a few minutes and allows you to view every super account in your name, consolidate multiple accounts, and transfer any ATO-held super to an eligible super fund.
Transferring lost super to your SMSF
If you locate lost super and want to transfer it to your SMSF but your fund does not appear as an available destination, the issue may be its compliance status. Ensure your SMSF is shown as “Complying” or “Registered” on Super Fund Lookup before initiating any rollover. A compliant status confirms your fund meets ATO requirements and can legally receive transfers.
Why recovering lost super matters
Recovering and consolidating lost or unclaimed super boosts your retirement savings, reduces duplicate fees and simplifies record-keeping within your SMSF. It also helps maintain better investment control and ensures all of your superannuation is working toward your retirement goals.
Regularly checking your compliance status and consolidating any stray balances will keep your SMSF compliant and your retirement savings on track. Learn more about lost and unclaimed super by visiting searching for lost super.
