Changing jobs is one of the most common reasons people end up with more than one super account. If you do not nominate a fund, an employer may place you in their default fund. Since stapling rules were introduced, your existing account usually follows you to a new job unless you choose otherwise. Even so, old addresses, name changes, and forgotten accounts can make it hard to see the full picture.

How Super Gets Lost or Split Across Accounts

Past job changes often create the first gap. When you start a new role, you may be asked to choose a fund or complete a standard choice form. If you do nothing, your employer may use their default fund. Under stapling, most employers must use your existing stapled fund, but that does not stop old accounts from staying open. Moving house and old addresses can also cause letters to be missed. If a fund cannot contact you and your account becomes inactive, it may be reported as lost or unclaimed.

Finding Every Super Account Through myGov

You can use myGov to link to the ATO online services and view a list of accounts linked to your tax file number. This list can show accounts held by funds, ATO-held super, and some lost or unclaimed amounts. The account list is a starting point, not a full audit. Write down each fund name, account number, balance, and fee structure. Then compare what each account offers, including investment options and insurance. If an account is ATO-held, you may need to transfer it to a fund or claim it through the ATO.

Combining Super Accounts: What to Compare

Combining super accounts means rolling money from one or more funds into another. Before you do this, choose which fund to keep. Compare administration fees, investment fees, and the investment options that suit your stage of life. Check whether the fund offers the insurance cover you need. The rollover steps usually involve confirming your identity, providing the receiving fund’s details, and submitting a request through myGov or the fund. A rollover can close the old account, which may end insurance attached to it.

Insurance Inside Super: Cover and Inactive Accounts

Insurance inside super can include life cover, total and permanent disability (TPD), and income protection. These covers are often paid for through your super balance. If an account is inactive, the law may require the fund to cancel certain insurance unless you tell the fund to keep it. Inactive accounts can also lose cover after a period without contributions. Before any rollover, check what cover you hold and what might be lost. If you have health issues or dependants, this step matters.

Payday Super and When to Seek Advice

Payday Super is a reform designed to align super payments with each pay cycle. Under the change, employers will generally need to pay super at the same time as wages, rather than quarterly. This can make it easier to match payslips to fund contributions and spot missed payments sooner. Review your payslip and fund statement regularly. If contributions do not appear, contact your employer or fund. For complex situations, such as self-managed funds, multiple employers, or insurance needs, a licensed adviser can provide personal guidance.

Comparing Super Fees and Costs

Fees are one of the main differences between funds. A typical administration fee may include a weekly dollar amount plus a percentage of your balance. Investment fees vary by option and can be higher for more active strategies. The table below shows examples from well-known providers, but fees change and your actual cost depends on your balance and investment choice.

Prices, rates, or cost estimates mentioned in this article are based on the latest available information but may change over time. Independent research is advised before making financial decisions.

These figures are estimates only. Always check the current product disclosure statement and target market determination for any fund. Small differences in fees can matter over decades, especially when balances grow.

Keeping track of super does not need to be complicated, but it does take a few deliberate steps. Knowing how accounts split across jobs, using myGov to find every account, and reviewing fees and insurance before combining can reduce duplication and missed cover. Payday Super may make contributions easier to monitor. Regular checks keep your retirement savings aligned with your circumstances.