How to Find and Consolidate Your Lost Super in 2025
If you've ever switched jobs, changed your name, or moved house, there's a good chance you've left a trail of forgotten super accounts behind. In fact, recent ATO data shows nearly $19 billion in lost or unclaimed super remains spread across more than 7 million accounts.
For anyone aged 30 to 55, recovering and consolidating those balances can make a tangible difference to long-term wealth. The process is easier than ever in 2025 — but knowing where to look and how to consolidate correctly matters just as much as finding it.
Step 1: Understand What "Lost Super" Actually Means
Super is considered "lost" when your fund hasn't been able to contact you or hasn't received contributions for an extended period. These accounts are often transferred to the ATO if they remain inactive or uncontactable.
Common causes include:
Changing jobs and never updating your fund details
Opening a new account through a new employer instead of using your existing one
Forgetting small accounts from earlier in your career
Moving house without updating your contact details with your super fund
Every extra super account you hold means more fees, duplicate insurance policies, and missed growth opportunities. The ATO estimates the average lost super balance is around $2,590 per person — but this can grow to tens of thousands of dollars over time if left unclaimed.
Consolidating multiple accounts can reduce costs and help your balance grow faster.
Step 2: Use the ATO's Online Super Search Tools
The easiest and safest way to find lost super is through your myGov account linked to the ATO.
Once logged in, navigate to: Super → Manage → Fund details
Here you can:
View all super accounts currently held in your name (both active and lost)
Check for any ATO-held super (accounts transferred from old or inactive funds)
See which accounts are active and receiving contributions
Initiate consolidation directly online
The ATO has introduced alerts and notifications in ATO Online to prompt people to check for lost or unclaimed super, making the process more proactive than ever.
Important: The process is secure, free, and avoids the risk of third-party scams that often target Australians searching for "lost super" online. Never provide your personal details to third-party websites claiming to find your super — always use official ATO channels.
Step 3: Compare Before You Consolidate
Before merging funds, carefully review the insurance, investment options, and fees attached to each account. Some older funds may carry valuable benefits you'd lose once the account closes.
Check for:
Insurance cover: Income protection, Total and Permanent Disability (TPD), or life insurance within your existing funds. Review the terms, premiums, and level of cover before consolidating. You may lose this cover when you close an account, and age or health changes could make it harder or more expensive to replace.
Defined benefit funds: If you have a defined benefit fund (often through public sector employment), seek professional financial advice before consolidating. These funds offer guaranteed benefits that cannot be recreated once closed and may provide superior retirement outcomes.
Investment performance: Compare the long-term performance of each fund. The fund with the lowest fees isn't always the best performer.
Fee structures: Look at administration fees, investment fees, and any exit fees that may apply when closing an account.
The goal isn't just to combine accounts — it's to choose the one that best aligns with your financial goals, risk profile, and fee structure.
Step 4: Complete the Consolidation
If you've reviewed your options and decided which fund to keep:
Log in to myGov → ATO → Super
Select Manage → Consolidate super
Choose the account(s) you want to roll over into your preferred fund
Confirm the transfer
The process usually completes within a few business days. Your chosen fund will automatically contact your old provider and handle the transfer on your behalf. You'll receive confirmation once the consolidation is complete.
Note: Some funds may have exit fees or processing times that vary. Check with your fund if you have questions about specific timeframes.
Step 5: Prevent Lost Super in the Future
Since November 2021, Australia has implemented "super stapling," which aims to prevent the accumulation of multiple super accounts. Under this system, your existing super fund is "stapled" to you and follows you from job to job.
How it works:
When you start a new job and don't nominate a super fund, your employer must check with the ATO to see if you have an existing super account
If you do, your new employer must pay your super into that "stapled" fund
You can still choose a different fund at any time — stapling only applies when you don't make an active choice
To protect your super:
Provide your fund details: When starting a new job, give your employer your preferred super fund details using the ATO's Standard Choice Form
Keep details current: Update your contact information, address, and Tax File Number (TFN) with both the ATO and your super fund whenever they change
Check annually: Review your super balance, contributions, and performance at least once a year
Verify employer payments: Ensure your employer is making regular contributions to the correct fund
Why It Matters
Consolidating super might not sound exciting, but the impact over time can be substantial. By removing duplicate accounts, you:
Save on fees: Eliminate duplicate administration and investment fees that erode your balance
Reduce insurance costs: Avoid paying for multiple insurance policies you may not need
Simplify tracking: Monitor your retirement savings in one place
Improve returns: Ensure all contributions and investment earnings compound together
Real impact example: Saving just $300 per year in duplicated admin and insurance fees could add over $20,000 to your retirement savings over 30 years when you factor in investment returns — without contributing an extra dollar.
The ATO reports that since 2022, they've reunited or paid out approximately 3.1 million unclaimed super accounts valued at almost $5.5 billion. Don't let your super sit unclaimed when it could be growing for your retirement.
Key Takeaway
Lost super is more common than you'd think — with over 7 million accounts affected across Australia. Using the ATO's online tools through myGov makes finding and consolidating your super straightforward and secure.
However, consolidation isn't always the right move for everyone. Before making changes, carefully review your insurance cover, investment options, and any special fund features you may lose.
Need help with your super strategy? The team at Redwood Financial Planning can help you review your superannuation accounts, compare your options, and develop a consolidation strategy that aligns with your retirement goals.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. We recommend speaking with a qualified financial adviser before making any decisions regarding your superannuation. Every individual’s financial situation is unique, and personalised advice is essential to ensure the best outcome for your specific circumstances.
