Switching super funds

Last updated: 22 July 2026

Switching super funds can improve your retirement savings, if it’s the right move.

Thinking about switching super funds

There may come a time when you think about switching super funds. This can happen when your job, income or retirement plans change. It can also happen when you read or hear something that prompts you to compare your options, or when someone suggests it could suit your needs.

Switching is one option. Staying where you are is another.

Before you decide, the key is understanding how your current fund compares and what might change if you switch.

What to compare before you switch super funds

Before you make a change, compare your current fund with other options.

• Performance: Look at how your fund performed over the last 10 years, not just recently. Super is a long-term investment, so short-term changes are common.
• Fees and costs: Check what you pay and what you get in return. Even small differences can affect your balance over time.
• Investment options: Make sure your investment option suits your stage of life. Compare similar options across funds to get a fair picture.
• Insurance cover: See what insurance you have now. This may include life, total and permanent disability (TPD), or income protection cover.
• Fund features: Some funds include benefits that can be hard to replace, such as defined benefit arrangements or employer-specific features. 

Learn more about choosing a super fund.

You can compare MySuper investment options using the Australian Tax Office’s (ATO’s) YourSuper comparison tool.

What to check before you switch

Before you switch funds, there are a few practical things to check.

• Insurance cover: If you move your super, you may lose the insurance that comes with your account. This can include life, total and permanent disability (TPD), or income protection cover. Check what you have now and whether you can get similar cover in your new fund.
• Your employer’s contributions: Make sure your employer can pay into your new fund. If you switch, you’ll need to give them your new details so they send future contributions to the right place.
• Multiple accounts: If you have more than one super account, think about whether you want to keep them or combine them. Having multiple accounts can mean paying more in fees and insurance costs.
• Account closures: If you transfer your full balance, your old fund will usually close your account. After that, you may not be able to go back to that fund or keep the same benefits. This can happen with defined benefit accounts. 
• Timing of the transfer: When your super moves between funds, your money may sit out of the market for a short time. This can affect your balance if markets change during the transfer.

How to switch super funds

If you decide to switch, the process is usually straightforward.

Choose a new super fund and open an account. Once your new account is ready, tell your employer where to send your future super contributions.

Move your existing super to your new fund. This is called a ‘rollover’, which means moving your super from one fund to another. You can ask your new fund to arrange this for you, or you can do it yourself using your myGov account linked to the ATO.

You don’t have to move all your super at once. You can choose which accounts or balances to transfer. Find out more about consolidating super funds.

For step-by-step guidance, see the ATO’s guide to transferring or consolidating your super.

After the transfer, check that your super moved across and keep any records for your files.