Did you see the recent story about the couple in Bathurst who won $20 million in Oz Lotto?

The huge prize lay unclaimed for three days. The husband (not surprisingly, the couple have chosen to remain anonymous), had a "funny feeling" their luck had turned and urged his wife to get their ticket so they could check their numbers online… now they are $20 million richer!

I have a “funny feeling” lots of other people in the Central West, and around the country, have unclaimed prizes in the form of lost retirement savings.

So, I checked. It turns out there are 4,675 unclaimed or lost super accounts with addresses in Bathurst, with the total amount being $21,647, 539.

In Orange, the numbers are 5,539 with accounts totalling $23,434,192. In Dubbo, the numbers are 5,411 with accounts totalling $27,943,441.

These are three regional cities with populations of around 40,000 each. Just look at how many lost or unclaimed super accounts there are in that region alone – more than 15,000 accounts and over $70 million! There is $17.5 billion in lost and unclaimed super across Australia.

You may not have struck it lucky with the $20 million winning lotto ticket, but there’s a good chance you have some lost or unclaimed super waiting for you to claim it.

How do you claim it?

·        Login or register for a myGov account at www.my.gov.au

·        Click on the ATO section.

·        Go to the ‘Super’ tab. In this section, you can:

o   see details of all your super accounts, including any you have forgotten about

o   see details of all your super, including super the ATO is holding on your behalf

·        Combine your multiple super accounts by transferring your super into one super account.

WARNING: Before consolidating your super, check with your fund to see if there are any exit fees or whether you will lose any valuable insurance.

Or simply call the ATO direct on 13 10 20 with your Tax File Number on hand. The ATO Lost Members Register will help you find any lost super that belongs to you.

The third option is to get your super fund to do it for you. Many super funds will track down your lost super for you. Give your fund a call and ask them if they can do it for you.

Check your lost super and let me know if you have any success. You might have a few dollars, a few hundred, or a few thousand. Imagine the difference a boost to your super could make.

The worst thing that could happen is that you confirm that you don’t have any lost super and then you’ll never have to worry about it again. Go on, invest a few minutes and check.

Don’t leave YOUR MONEY languishing in the land of lost super. This is potentially a very easy win. Get this done and then when you’re ready to super charge your super with lower fees, better returns and great strategies, give me a call and let’s make your financial freedom a reality, not a dream.

Cheers,

Daniel

If you’d like to find out more about how INDEPENDENT financial advice could help you manage cash flow, pay off the mortgage faster, get the most out of super and invest wisely, then get in touch on 0411 484 464 or head to wealthtrain.com.au.

Daniel McGregor is the man behind Wealth Train and is a member of the Independent Financial Advisers Association of Australia. This advice may not be suitable to you because it contains general advice which does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. All strategies and information provided are general advice only.

Daniel McGregor and Wealth Train are authorised representatives of Independent Financial Advisers Australia AFSL 464629