Consolidate your super
If you have had different jobs with different employers over your working career you will probably have superannuation accounts in many different funds.
Apart from the time it takes to keep track of these accounts, there are three more serious concerns of which you should be aware.
Investment plan
Choosing the right investments for your situation is critical to maximising your retirement nest egg.
Super is for the long term and just one percent extra in returns every year can make a significant difference.
For example, if you were earning $70,000 per annum and your fund was receiving only the 9.5 percent per annum superannuation guarantee contributions from your employer, you could have $288,000 after 20 years if the fund earned seven percent per annum. If it earned just one percent per annum more, you could have $326,000 – an additional $38,000.
Reports and fees
More than one fund means you receive multiple annual reports and statements. Apart from being a nuisance, the big danger is that your super will be eroded by fees.
Lost billions
An inactive account is one that has not been accessed or contributed to in the past 12 months and the super fund cannot locate the account owner.
Superannuation held in inactive accounts with balances less than $6000 is transferred into the federal government’s consolidated revenue account.
There are billions of dollars in inactive accounts and this is a huge windfall for the government. Does any of this money belong to you?
You can easily find out if you have any lost super by using your Mygov account and linking to the Australian Tax Office.
If there is lost super showing, follow the instructions on the Mygov service to claim it. If you don’t have a Mygov account you can download a form from www.ato.gov.au and submit it to instigate a search.
Whichever way you do it, the key is to get your super all together now and make it work for your future. Contact your financial adviser to get started. • The information provided in this article is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice.