How to check your super

Last updated: 11 November 2026

There are six key things to check to help keep your retirement savings on track.

Your super can change over time as you contribute, invest and pay fees and insurance costs. Checking it regularly can help you understand how your savings are tracking and spot anything that may need attention.

Check in on your super regularly throughout the year, and when your circumstances change.

Not sure where your super is? You can find your super accounts through Australian Taxation Office (ATO) online services linked to myGov.

1. Check your personal details 

Keeping your personal details up to date means your super fund can reach you with important information about your super.

Check your super fund has your correct:

• name
• date of birth
• email address
• postal address
• phone number.

Check your tax file number

Check your super fund also has your tax file number (TFN). Your TFN helps your fund keep track of your super and the tax you pay.

If your fund doesn't have your TFN, it may not be able to accept member contributions or co-contributions. You may also pay more tax on some super contributions.

See tax and super for more information.

2. Check your balance and contributions

Checking your super balance regularly can help you see how your retirement savings are tracking.

Where to check your balance: Log in to your super fund account or app for your current balance. You can also check your latest super statement, or see your super account through ATO online services linked to myGov.

Check your employer contributions

Check that your employer contributions are reaching your super account and that the amounts look right.

For most eligible employees, your employer must pay at least 12% of your qualifying earnings to your super. Payday super means these contributions must be paid each payday.

Use the employer contributions calculator to work out how much super your employer needs to pay.

If a contribution is missing or doesn't look right, check with your super fund first. You can then speak to your employer. The ATO has information about unpaid super.

Check your personal contributions

If you've made extra contributions into your super, check they've reached your account. This includes contributions you've made directly or through salary sacrifice.

You can check recent contributions through your super fund account or statement.

See super contributions for ways to add to your super, and the rules that apply.

3. Check your investment options and performance

Your investment options and how they perform can make a difference to how much super you have in retirement.

Check your investment options

Most super funds let you choose how your super is invested. Your investment option can affect how your super grows over time and how much its value changes when markets move.

Check which investment option you're in and whether it still suits your goals, how long you have until retirement and how much risk you're comfortable with.

It can help to review your investment option regularly, and when your circumstances change. What suited you in the past may not always suit your needs and goals.

Some super funds also let you split your money across more than one investment option.

See super investment options for more information about how super funds invest your money.

Check investment performance

Check how your investment option has performed over time and against investment objectives.

Investment returns can go up and down from year to year. Looking at returns over 5 or 10 years, rather than just the past year, can give you a better picture of longer-term performance.

Past performance doesn't guarantee future performance. But checking performance over time can help you understand how your investment is tracking.

The Australian Prudential Authority (APRA) runs a test each year on the performance of certain products. If your super fund has failed the test and you hold the product, they must let you know.

If you have a MySuper product, you can use the ATO's YourSuper comparison tool to compare its performance and fees with other MySuper products.

If you're thinking about changing funds or products, see choosing a super fund for things to consider before you decide.

4. Check your fees

Super funds charge fees and costs to manage your account and investments, and for some services and insurance. The amount you pay depends on your fund, what investment options you're invested in, and the services you use.

Check your super statement or log in to your super fund account or app to see what fees and costs you're paying.

Ongoing fees may include:

• administration fees 
• investment fees
• transaction costs.

You may also pay fees and costs for particular activities or services, such as:

• buying or selling investments
• switching investment options
• personal financial advice
• insurance.

Small differences in the fees can add up over time and affect how much super you have in retirement.

Compare the fees you're paying with other super funds.

See choosing a super fund for other things to consider when comparing funds.

5. Check your insurance 

Most super funds offer insurance such as life cover, total and permanent disability (TPD) and income protection. You may have received insurance automatically when you joined your fund. 

Check your super statement or log in to your super fund account or app to see:

• what type of insurance you have
• how much cover you have
• how much you’re paying for it.

Consider whether your insurance still suits your needs and circumstances, particularly as you get closer to retirement. The type and amount of insurance you need can change over time.

The cost of insurance usually comes out of your super balance, so it can affect how much you have for retirement.

Learn more about insurance through super.

6. Check your beneficiaries

Your super doesn’t automatically form part of your estate when you die. You can nominate your beneficiary with your super fund and tell them who you want your super to go to. 

Check who you’ve nominated and whether your nomination is still current. This is particularly worth doing if your circumstances have changed, such as a after a marriage, separation, divorce or the birth of a child.

Super funds offer different types of beneficiary nominations.  With a binding nomination, your fund must follow your instructions if the nomination is valid. With a non-binding nomination, your fund considers your wishes but makes the final decision about who receives your super. 

Some binding nominations expire and need to be renewed, while others don’t. Check with your super fund to see what applies to you.

Learn more about who gets your super when you die.

Other ways to look after your super

A few more checks and actions can help you keep track of your super and grow your retirement savings.

Find your lost super

There’s over $21 billion in lost and unclaimed super in Australia. A quick check could uncover money that belongs to you. You can check for lost super through ATO online services linked to myGov. See searching for lost and unclaimed super for other ways to find your super.

Check if you have more than one super account

Having more than one super account can mean paying more than one set of fees. Bringing your super together could save you money and make it easier to manage. 

Before you combine super accounts, check whether you could lose benefits such as insurance cover. There may also be tax implications.

See consolidating super funds for more information.

Consider adding extra to your super

Adding extra to your super can help grow your retirement savings. Depending on how you contribute and your circumstances, there may also be tax benefits. 

There are different ways to add to your super. See super contributions to understand your options and what to consider.