Lost super could be a bonus

By Alesha Capone

If you live in Wyndham, it may be worth checking to see if you have any lost or unclaimed superannuation accounts.
According to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), two Wyndham postcodes are among the top 10 in the nation with the highest amounts of lost and unclaimed super.
Out of the nation’s postcodes, the 3030 area (which covers Derrimut, Quandong, Point Cook, Werribee and Werribee South) has recorded the second-highest amount of money remaining in lost and unclaimed superannuation accounts.
The 3030 postal zone has more than $72 million contained within 9966 lost and unclaimed superannuation accounts.
The 3029 postcode (which covers Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit and Truganina) placed sixth nationally, with more than $57 million in 8883 lost and unclaimed super accounts.
In and around Wyndham, other postcodes recorded:

* Postcode 3024 (Wyndham Vale, Manor Lakes): More than $14 million in lost and unclaimed super, across 2529 accounts.
* Postcode 3026 (Laverton North): $575,389 in 197 accounts.
* Postcode 3027 (Laverton RAAF, Williams RAAF, Williams Landing): More than $1.96 million in 459 accounts.
* Postcode 3028 (Altona Meadows, Laverton, Seabrook): More than $33 million in 3721 accounts.
* Postcode 3211 (Little River): More than $1.39 million in 127 accounts.

The postcode of 2170 (Liverpool and surrounds, in New South Wales) placed first in Australia for the largest amount of lost and unclaimed super, with more than $81 million waiting to be claimed.
According to the ATO, there is over $20.8 billion in lost and unclaimed super across Australia.
ATO Assistant Commissioner Graham Whyte said people often lost touch with their super fund by changing jobs or moving home.
“It’s important to know that this doesn’t mean it’s lost forever, getting back in touch is easier than you think,” he said.
For information on all your super accounts, including lost and unclaimed super, visit ato.gov.au/checkyoursuper