At the Seniors Discount Club, we understand that managing superannuation can sometimes fall by the wayside, especially during the busy years of employment and family life.

However, as we focus on enjoying our golden years, it's crucial to ensure that we have all our financial resources accounted for.

That's why we're here to guide you through the process of reclaiming what's rightfully yours.


The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is encouraging Australians to check their eligibility for billions of dollars in lost and unclaimed superannuation. Recent data has revealed that over $17.8 billion is waiting to be reclaimed.

‘Lost super’ occurs when a fund loses contact with you or your account becomes inactive, while ‘unclaimed super’ is transferred to the ATO by your fund.

According to the ATO, Australians may have lost track of their super if they've changed their name, moved homes, or switched jobs without updating their super fund with new contact details.


ATO Deputy Commissioner Emma Rosenzweig encouraged Australians to see if they are entitled to a portion of the $17.8 billion in lost and unclaimed super. This can be checked online or by reaching out to your super fund.

‘Since 2021, the ATO has reunited almost $6.4 billion of unclaimed super with its owners. But there is still more than $17.8 billion waiting to be found,’ she stated.

‘If you’ve changed job, moved house or simply forgotten to update your details, you may have lost or unclaimed super.’


The ATO's latest figures are a wake-up call for all Australians, but particularly for those over 60 who are nearing or already enjoying retirement.

With $471 million held by the ATO on behalf of individuals aged over 65, it's clear that retirees could significantly benefit from these unclaimed funds.

‘Superannuation is a key part of your retirement, and we want to make sure Australians are claiming the investment they’ve worked for,’ Deputy Commissioner Rosenzweig stated.

As of June 30, 2024, super funds and the ATO are holding lost super for over 7.1 million accounts.


You can check for lost super online via the ATO through myGov.

Navigate to ATO online services and select ‘Super’. Then choose ‘fund details’ to find any lost super.

To transfer lost or unclaimed super to an eligible account, select ‘Manage’ and ‘Transfer super’ or request your super fund to handle the transfer.

If the amount is under $200 or you are over 65, the ATO advises you to click ‘Manage’ and then ‘Withdraw ATO-held super’ to have the funds paid directly to you.


The ATO is also encouraging Australians to perform a five-step super health check via their myGov account or by contacting their super fund directly.

Here is a step-by-step guide to complete the check:

1. Confirm your contact details: Ensure your personal details, financial information, and tax file number are current.
2. Check your super balance and employer contributions: Verify your super balance and confirm your employer's contributions are accurate.
3. Look for lost and unclaimed super: Review the details of all your super accounts, including any you may have lost or forgotten.
4. Check for multiple super accounts and consider consolidating: Combining your super accounts can help save on fees and simplify management.
5. Check your nominated beneficiary: Confirm or nominate your death beneficiary to ensure your benefits are paid to the right person.

You can find out more details here.


While looking for unclaimed super, it's also beneficial to check federal and state websites for any owed funds, such as unclaimed refunds, share dividends, or uncashed cheques.

Unclaimed money refers to cash owed to individuals who can't be located, often due to name or address changes, lost paperwork, or simply forgetting about the funds.

Here is a list of websites you can visit:

• Federal: search ‘ASIC unclaimed money’
• ACT: Public Trustee and Guardian
• NSW: Revenue NSW
• NT: Northern Territory Treasury
• Qld: Public Trustee of Queensland
• SA: South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance
• TAS: Tasmanian Department of Treasury and Finance
• VIC: State Revenue Office of Victoria
• WA: WA Department of Treasury

Reclaiming lost super can make a significant difference in your retirement lifestyle.

It can provide additional funds for healthcare, travel, hobbies, or even as a financial cushion for unexpected expenses.

Moreover, consolidating super accounts can save you money on fees and simplify your financial management.

Don't let your hard-earned money remain unclaimed. Take the time to check for lost super and other unclaimed funds.

It's a simple process that could yield substantial rewards. Remember, it's your money, and you've earned it through years of work—make sure it's working for you now.


As Australians are urged to reclaim billions in lost superannuation by the ATO, it's equally important to explore other potential sources of unclaimed funds.

Nearly $16 billion in lost cash could also be awaiting discovery, encompassing everything from rebates and inactive bank accounts to forgotten inheritances.

For those looking to uncover any additional money that might be owed to them, it’s worth investigating further opportunities to reclaim these assets.
Have you checked if you are eligible for this unclaimed money? Do you have any questions about the process? Please share them in the comments below, and let’s help each other secure our financial futures and make the most of our retirement years.