Are you considered uncontactable or inactive?
Your super may be considered lost if it fits the definition of uncontactable or inactive.
This means:
- Uncontactable - you have never provided a contact address, or your recorded contact details have become invalid (for this to happen, we must receive two pieces of returned mail and/or a returned email for the addresses we have on file, depending on the details we have), and we haven’t received a contribution or roll in for you within the last 12 months
- Inactive - you joined us through your employer more than two years ago and your account has had no contributions or roll ins in the last five years
If your account fits the definition of ‘lost’, we need to report it to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). In line with WA State Government legislation and Commonwealth requirements, we need to transfer lost or unclaimed super accounts from GESB Super, GESB Super (Retirement Access) and West State Super to the ATO.
If your super is transferred to the ATO, your account will be closed. Please note that if your account is closed and you leave the public sector, you cannot re-join GESB, unless you start working for the public sector again. You can read about future changes we're making that will also impact accounts transferred to the ATO.
The ATO holds lost super and can help you claim it back
Lost or unclaimed super gets transferred to the ATO so you can claim your super using a central department where your funds can be more easily identified and fees don’t apply. The ATO holds your money but it will only earn interest at a rate equivalent to the rate of inflation (CPI).
Visit the ATO website for more information about lost and unclaimed super, including which accounts may be transferred to the ATO.
Transferring West State Super accounts to the ATO
If your West State Super account is transferred to the ATO, your account will be closed and you won't be able to open another one, even if you start working in the WA public sector again.
This is because West State Super is now a closed scheme. It also means that any insurance you may have attached to your West State Super account will cease. Find out more about the unique features of West State Super.
How to stop your super from becoming lost
It’s easy, all you have to do is complete one (or more) of the following to make sure your account doesn’t become lost:
- Call your Member Services Centre on 13 43 72
- Tell us if you change address
- Make regular contributions to your super account
- Register for or log in to Member Online to manage your super
- Provide us with your tax file number in Member Online - this will also help make sure you’re not paying more tax than you need to
More information
- Visit the ATO website for more information about lost and unclaimed super, including which accounts may be transferred to the ATO
- Register for or login to Member Online
- Find out more about West State Super
Need help
- Call us on 13 43 72
- Connect with us in real time via Live chat
Thank you for printing this page. Remember to come back to gesb.wa.gov.au for the latest information as our content is updated regularly. This information is correct as at 08 May 2024.