By XAVIER SMERDON
WYNDHAM residents are missing out on almost $100 million of their own money, according to the latest figures from the Australian Taxation Office.
Werribee residents were missing a total of $46.9 million in lost superannuation accounts, the highest amount of any area in Victoria, while Hoppers Crossing residents were missing out on $36 million, the third highest in the state.
The $96 million missing throughout Wyndham could be tied back to 13,354 lost super accounts with an average of $7252 in them.
The Deputy Commissioner of Superannuation, Alison Lendon, said Wyndham residents were missing out on claiming their own money.
“If you found $50 in the pocket of your old coat, it would make your day. But 1.9 million Australians have an average of $8,368 waiting to be found and claimed – which is a lot more than a forgotten banknote,” Ms Lendon said.
“Finding your lost super and rolling it into your active super fund could give your retirement savings a significant boost. Thanks to recent changes to super, it’s easier than ever to find and claim your own money.”
Ms Lendon said since 31 May last year, any amount of lost super that added up to $2000 was being transferred from super funds to the ATO which would hold the money until residents claimed it, to protect the money from being eroded by fees and charges.
The ATO will also pay interest at a rate equivalent to the consumer price index when the super is reclaimed.
For more information visit www.ato.gov.au/superseeker
