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gabrielles(I'm new)I'm new
1 Nov 2021

Hi there My son received a letter today saying the balance of his superannuation account has been transferred to the ATO due to inactivity. He worked for a while in the entertainment industry, but is now a full time student and is not working. The ATO website says they will transfer funds to another super account (he doesn't have another). In this situation, how long will the funds be held by the ATO? Will they be diminished for any reason or lapse after a certain period? It may be some years before he works again. There's nothing on the ATO website about this.

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1,185 views
1 replies

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Most helpful reply

BlakeATO(Community Support)Community Support
2 Nov 2021

Hi @gabrielles


An inactive low balance account comes to us to prevent the account from being eaten up by fees. It'll stay with us until we find another super account for your son, or until he reaches a condition of release.


It won't diminish, but when it's held by us, there are no investment options against it, so it won't gain anything either.

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Most helpful reply

BlakeATO(Community Support)Community Support
2 Nov 2021

Hi @gabrielles


An inactive low balance account comes to us to prevent the account from being eaten up by fees. It'll stay with us until we find another super account for your son, or until he reaches a condition of release.


It won't diminish, but when it's held by us, there are no investment options against it, so it won't gain anything either.

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How long will the ATO hold inactive super? | ATO Community