When Was the Last Time You Checked Your Super?

For many Australians, super is something that was set up years ago, at a job they may not even hold anymore, and has not been looked at since. 

That is understandable. When you are settled in a role and life is busy, super feels like a problem for later. But later is exactly when small oversights become expensive, and a quick check today costs you nothing. 

Here is what you need to know. 

How does super become lost or unclaimed? 

Super becomes lost when your fund can no longer contact you or your account stops receiving contributions. According to the ATO, accounts left inactive long enough can be transferred to the ATO as unclaimed money, where they sit until the owner comes looking. 

The scale of the problem is significant. ATO data shows lost and unclaimed super reached $18.9 billion across almost 7.3 million accounts as at 30 June 2025.  

Most of that money belongs to people who changed jobs, moved house, or simply lost the paperwork somewhere along the way. If you have not logged in to your super account in the last year or two, some of it could be yours. 

Why is now a good time to check your super? 

Now is a good time to check your super because two things have changed. Payday Super means contributions arrive with every pay cycle, and the new financial year puts your finances front of mind. 

Payday Super came into effect on 1 July 2026. Employers must now pay super guarantee contributions each payday rather than quarterly, with payments reaching your fund within seven business days of your pay date. Your account now updates with every pay cycle, which means checking it actually tells you something. You can check if your employer is paying the required super contributions on time. 

The new financial year is also a natural reset point. Your payment summary is being finalised, tax time has your finances front of mind, and a super check slots neatly into the routine you are already in. 

What should you look for when you check your super? 

A proper super check covers four things: your contact details, any forgotten accounts, your fund’s fees and performance, and your insurance and beneficiaries. It takes about twenty minutes. Ask yourself the following: 

1.Are your contact details current?  

An out-of-date address or email is the most common way accounts drift into lost territory. Confirm your details with both your fund and the ATO so your money never loses track of you.

2. Do you have accounts you have forgotten?  

If you have changed jobs before, old accounts may still be open and charging fees. The ATO’s online services through myGov list every account linked to your tax file number, including any ATO-held amounts, and let you consolidate from the same screen. Before consolidating, check whether any account holds insurance cover that would be lost upon closure.

3. Is your current fund working for you?  

Performance, fees, and investment options vary between funds. The ATO’s YourSuper comparison tool lets you compare MySuper products side by side. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, but it provides a useful starting point. 

4. Are your insurance and beneficiaries up to date?  

Super funds commonly provide death, total and permanent disablement, and income protection cover. If your circumstances have changed since you last looked, your cover and your nominated beneficiaries may no longer reflect what you want. 

What are the benefits of checking your super regularly? 

Checking your super regularly helps you catch missing contributions early, recover lost money, avoid paying duplicate fees, and keep your insurance current. Each benefit compounds over time, because problems found early cost far less than problems found at retirement. 

• You catch missing contributions early. With contributions now arriving each pay cycle under Payday Super, a quick check confirms your employer is paying the full 12 per cent on time and surfaces any shortfall within weeks rather than months. 

• You could have lost super waiting to be claimed. Check ATO online services regularly to find any of the $18.9 billion in lost and unclaimed super that may belong to you. 

• You stop paying fees on forgotten accounts. Old accounts from previous jobs keep charging fees whether you remember them or not. Finding and consolidating them protects small balances from being eroded. 

• Your insurance and beneficiaries stay current. Regular reviews ensure your death, total and permanent disablement, and income protection cover still matches your circumstances, and that your nominated beneficiaries reflect what you want. 

• Small adjustments have more time to compound. Reviewing fees and long-term performance once a year, using the ATO’s YourSuper comparison tool, means any improvement you make benefits from decades of compounding rather than years. 

• You stay ready for your next move. Knowing your fund name, USI, and member number means you can complete paperwork promptly if a new opportunity comes along, with no delayed or misdirected contributions. 

Superannuation rules can be complex, and what works well for one person may not suit another. If you are unsure what any of this means for your situation, Prime Super offers access to super specialists who can help you understand your options. You can reach them on 1800 675 839, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm AEST/AEDT. 

How can Fuse Recruitment help? 

At Fuse, we work with candidates across a wide range of industries and career stages. We understand that a strong career involves more than the role you are in today. It involves making confident, informed decisions about your financial future as well. 

As we continue to build our candidate resources, we are committed to connecting you with the right information at the right time, including guidance on practical matters like superannuation that often get overlooked in the rhythm of working life. Whether you are actively exploring new opportunities or simply keeping your options open, our team is here to support you whenever you are ready. 

For more information about managing your super when changing jobs, visit primesuper.com.au or call Prime Super on 1800 675 839. 

Important Notice 

This email is current as at the date of sending and is subject to change. It contains general information only and does not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, needs or personal circumstances. You should seek personal advice or professional financial advice, consider your own circumstances and read our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making a decision about Prime Super. A copy of the PDS and Target Market Determination is available by calling 1800 675 839 or by visiting primesuper.com.au/pds. 

Prime Super Pty Ltd ABN 81 067 241 016 AFSL 219723 RSE L0000277 is the Trustee of Prime Super ABN 60 562 335 823 RN 1000276.