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Compare online access superannuation
Learn how you can start planning for your retirement. RateCity compares superannuation products from 100 Australian Superannuation funds. Compare online super fund rates, fees, performance and more.
Sunsuper for Life - Super-savings Account




A balanced super fund intended to help you manage your super from your first day of work to retirement. Plus, you may be eligible for a Retirement Bonus of up to $4800.
Past 5-year return 8.99 % p.a | Admin fee $52 | Company ![]() | Calc fees on 50k $497 | Features Advisory services Death insurance Income protection Online access Term deposits Variety of options | SuperRatings awards ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Go to site | A simple, low-cost super option for anyone who doesn't want to choose a specific investment option. More details | Highlighted | |
Past 5-year return 8.73 % p.a | Admin fee $78 | Company ![]() | Calc fees on 50k $463 | Features Advisory services Death insurance Income protection Online access Term deposits Variety of options | SuperRatings awards ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Go to site | A balanced super fund intended to help you manage your super from your first day of work to retirement. Plus, you may be eligible for a Retirement Bonus of up to $4800. More details | ||
Product | Past 5-year return 8.37 % p.a | Admin fee $78 | Company ![]() | Calc fees on 50k $543 | Features Advisory services Death insurance Income protection Online access Term deposits Variety of options | SuperRatings awards ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Go to site | An industry super fund for Australian professionals, CareSuper is established on a history of performance with a variety of insurance coverage options. More details | |
Product | Past 5-year return 7.96 % p.a | Admin fee $0 | Company ![]() | Calc fees on 50k $370 | Features Advisory services Death insurance Income protection Online access Term deposits Variety of options | SuperRatings awards ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Go to site | Enjoy the benefits of an investment strategy based on your age and account balance. More details | |
Product | Past 5-year return 7.52 % p.a | Admin fee $92 | Company ![]() | Calc fees on 50k $497 | Features Advisory services Death insurance Income protection Online access Term deposits Variety of options | SuperRatings awards ![]() | Go to site | More details | |
Learn more about superannuation
Superannuation management has become easier over the past decade with new technology.
Superannuation with online access has allowed us to keep better track of our progress, update details quickly and even receive messages.
If you haven’t yet asked your super fund about online access, now may be the time to start managing your super from the comfort of your computer.
What online information do super funds offer?
Online information about your super will vary from fund to fund. You may have access to information such as personal details, insurance details and tax file number, and you can typically edit these details online. Your account balance may also be available online, which is helpful in tracking your account progress.
Some superannuation funds with online access may allow you to download annual statements, update your beneficiaries, see your transactions and receive messages. As each fund is different, it’s best to check about online access before choosing your super fund.
How do you get online access to your super fund?
Many super funds encourage their members to create an online account that can be used to manage your super.
After joining a super fund, you may be prompted to create a member profile, but if you’re unable to sign up, it’s best to talk to your super fund to gain access.
Can you check your super balance online?
Most super funds allow you to check your super balance online. Some may only list your current balance, while others will show your recent transactions and annual statements.
Online access can help you keep track of your super’s progress, which is why some people believe it’s a good idea to check your balance regularly.
Can you change your investment preferences online?
Certain superannuation funds with online access will allow you to manage your investment preferences online. If your super fund permits online investment management, it’s still possible that there will be some restrictions.
Typically, self-managed super funds grant the holder control over all investment options.
Don’t forget; it’s best to talk with your financial planner before making any drastic investment decisions.
Can you request help online?
When you have questions about your super, you want them answered fast. Some superannuation funds with online access have created help centres within their online platform.
The type of help you can receive will vary from fund to fund, with some super funds offering advice columns and others letting you email a staff member. In some cases, you’re able to have a live chat with an expert to help answer your questions.
Superannuation funds with online access give you the opportunity to track your super from anywhere. Whether it’s from your home computer after dinner or your mobile device on the train, online access gives you more oversight over your super.
Alex Ritchie
Personal Finance Writer
Alex is a personal finance writer and PR professional at RateCity, and has been writing about finance for over three years. She is passionate about closing the gender pay and superannuation gap, and aims to help young Aussies to overcome their financial apathy and better manage their finances. Alex has been published in numerous print and online outlets, including Money Magazine, Lifehacker Australia, and Business Insider.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a superannuation fund?
A superannuation fund is an institution that is legally allowed to hold and invest your superannuation. There are more than 200 different superannuation funds in Australia. They come in five different types:
- Retail funds
- Industry funds
- Public sector funds
- Corporate funds
- Self-managed super funds
Retail funds are usually run by banks or investment companies.
Industry funds were originally designed for workers from a particular industry, but are now open to anyone.
Public sector funds were originally designed for people working for federal or state government departments. Most are still reserved for government employees.
Corporate funds are arranged by employers for their employees.
Self-managed super funds are private superannuation funds that allow people to directly invest their money.
How do you find superannuation?
Lost superannuation refers to savings in an account that you’ve forgotten about. This can happen if you’ve opened several different accounts over the years while moving from job to job.
You can use your MyGov account to see details of all your superannuation accounts, including any you might have forgotten. Alternatively, you can fill in a ‘Searching for lost super’ form and send it to the Australian Taxation Office, which will then search on your behalf.
When can I access my superannuation?
You can withdraw your superannuation when you meet the ‘conditions of release’. The conditions of release say you can claim your super when you reach:
- Age 65
- Your ‘preservation age’ and retire
- Your preservation age and begin a ‘transition to retirement’ while still working
The preservation age – which is different to the pension age – is based on date of birth. Here are the six different categories:
Date of birth | Preservation age |
---|---|
Before 1 July 1960 | 55 |
1 July 1960 – 30 June 1961 | 56 |
1 July 1961 – 30 June 1962 | 57 |
1 July 1962 – 30 June 1963 | 58 |
1 July 1963 – 30 June 1964 | 59 |
From 1 July 1964 | 60 |
A transition to retirement allows you to continue working while accessing up to 10 per cent of the money in your superannuation account at the start of each financial year.
There are also seven special circumstances under which you can claim your superannuation:
- Compassionate grounds
- Severe financial hardship
- Temporary incapacity
- Permanent incapacity
- Superannuation inheritance
- Superannuation balance under $200
- Temporary resident departing Australia
How much superannuation do I need?
According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), here is how much you would be able to spend per week during retirement:
Lifestyle | Singles | Couples |
---|---|---|
Modest | $465 | $668 |
Comfortable | $837 | $1,150 |
Here is the superannuation balance you would need to fund that level of spending:
Lifestyle | Singles | Couples |
---|---|---|
Modest | $50,000 | $35,000 |
Comfortable | $545,000 | $640,000 |
These figures come from the March 2017 edition of the ASFA Retirement Standard.
The reason people on modest lifestyles need so much less money is because they qualify for a far bigger age pension.
Here is how ASFA defines retirement lifestyles:
Category | Comfortable | Modest | Age pension |
---|---|---|---|
Holidays | One annual holiday in Australia | One or two short breaks in Australia near where you live | Shorter breaks or day trips in your own city |
Eating out | Regularly eat out at restaurants. Good range and quality of food | Infrequently eat out at restaurants. Cheaper and less food | Only club special meals or inexpensive takeaway |
Car | Owning a reasonable car | Owning an older, less reliable car | No car – or, if you do, a struggle to afford the upkeep |
Alcohol | Bottled wine | Casked wine | Homebrew beer or no alcohol |
Clothing | Good clothes | Reasonable clothes | Basic clothes |
Hair | Regular haircuts at a good hairdresser | Regular haircuts at a basic salon | Less frequent haircuts or getting a friend to do it |
Leisure | A range of regular leisure activities | One paid leisure activity, infrequently | Free or low-cost leisure activities |
Electronics | A range of electronic equipment | Not much scope to run an air conditioner | Less heating in winter |
Maintenance | Replace kitchen and bathroom over 20 years | No budget for home improvements. Can do repairs, but can’t replace kitchen or bathroom | No budget to fix home problems like a leaky roof |
Insurance | Private health insurance | Private health insurance | No private health insurance |
What is lost superannuation?
Lost superannuation refers to savings in an account that you’ve forgotten about. This can happen if you’ve opened several different accounts over the years while moving from job to job.
Who can open a superannuation account?
Superannuation accounts can be opened by Australians, permanent residents and temporary residents. You’re automatically entitled to superannuation if:
- You’re over 18 and earn more than $450 before tax in a calendar month
- You’re under 18, you work more than 30 hours per week and you earn more than $450 before tax in a calendar month
How do you claim superannuation?
There are three different ways you can claim your superannuation:
- Lump sum
- Account-based pension
- Part lump sum and part account-based pension
Two rules apply if you choose to receive an account-based pension, or income stream:
- You must receive payments at least once per year
- You must withdraw a minimum amount per year
- Age 55-64 = 4%
- Age 65-74 = 5%
- Age 75-79 = 6%
- Age 80-84 = 7%
- Age 85-89 = 9%
- Age 90-94 = 11%
- Age 95+ = 14%
If you want to work out how long your account-based pension might last, click here to access ASIC’s account-based pension calculator.
How does superannuation affect the age pension?
Most Australians who are of retirement age can qualify for the age pension. However, depending on the size of your assets and post-retirement income, you might be entitled to only a reduced pension. In some instances, you might not be entitled to any pension payments.
What is the difference between accumulation and defined benefit funds?
A majority of Australians are in accumulation funds. These funds grow according to the amount of money invested and the return on that money.
A minority of Australians are in defined benefit funds – many of which are now closed to new members. These funds give payouts according to specific rules, such as how long the worker has been with their employer and their final salary before they retired.
What happens to my insurance cover if I change superannuation funds?
Some superannuation funds will allow you to transfer your insurance cover, without interruption, if you switch. However, others won’t. So it’s important you check before changing funds.
How do you find lost superannuation funds?
Lost superannuation refers to savings in an account that you’ve forgotten about. This can happen if you’ve opened several different accounts over the years while moving from job to job.
You can use your MyGov account to see details of all your superannuation accounts, including any you might have forgotten. Alternatively, you can fill in a ‘Searching for lost super’ form and send it to the Australian Taxation Office, which will then search on your behalf.
Can my employer use money from my superannuation account?
No, your employer can’t touch the money that is paid into your superannuation account.
How much is superannuation in Australia?
Superannuation in Australia is currently 9.5 per cent – which means that your employer must pay you superannuation equivalent to 9.5 per cent of your salary.
The ‘superannuation guarantee’, as it is known, has been at 9.5 per cent since the 2014-15 financial year. It is scheduled to rise to 10.0 per cent in 2021-22, 10.5 per cent in 2022-23, 11.0 per cent in 2023-24, 11.5 per cent in 2024-25 and 12.0 per cent in 2025-26.
How do you get superannuation?
You’re automatically entitled to superannuation if:
- You’re over 18 and earn more than $450 before tax in a calendar month
- You’re under 18, you work more than 30 hours per week and you earn more than $450 before tax in a calendar month
How much superannuation should I have at age 40?
The amount of superannuation you should have at age 40 is based on how much money you need to have at retirement. That, in turn, is based on how much money you expect to spend each week during your retirement. That, in turn, depends on whether you expect to lead a modest retirement or a comfortable retirement.
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) estimates you would need the following amount per week:
Lifestyle | Singles | Couples |
---|---|---|
Modest | $465 | $668 |
Comfortable | $837 | $1,150 |
Here is the superannuation balance you would need to fund that level of spending:
Lifestyle | Singles | Couples |
---|---|---|
Modest | $50,000 | $35,000 |
Comfortable | $545,000 | $640,000 |
These figures come from the March 2017 edition of the ASFA Retirement Standard.
The reason people on modest lifestyles need so much less money is because they qualify for a far bigger age pension.
Here is how ASFA defines retirement lifestyles:
Category | Comfortable | Modest | Age pension |
---|---|---|---|
Holidays | One annual holiday in Australia | One or two short breaks in Australia near where you live | Shorter breaks or day trips in your own city |
Eating out | Regularly eat out at restaurants. Good range and quality of food | Infrequently eat out at restaurants. Cheaper and less food | Only club special meals or inexpensive takeaway |
Car | Owning a reasonable car | Owning an older, less reliable car | No car – or, if you do, a struggle to afford the upkeep |
Alcohol | Bottled wine | Casked wine | Homebrew beer or no alcohol |
Clothing | Good clothes | Reasonable clothes | Basic clothes |
Hair | Regular haircuts at a good hairdresser | Regular haircuts at a basic salon | Less frequent haircuts or getting a friend to do it |
Leisure | A range of regular leisure activities | One paid leisure activity, infrequently | Free or low-cost leisure activities |
Electronics | A range of electronic equipment | Not much scope to run an air conditioner | Less heating in winter |
Maintenance | Replace kitchen and bathroom over 20 years | No budget for home improvements. Can do repairs, but can’t replace kitchen or bathroom | No budget to fix home problems like a leaky roof |
Insurance | Private health insurance | Private health insurance | No private health insurance |
What are my superannuation obligations if I'm an employer?
Employers are required to pay superannuation to all their staff if the staff are:
- Over 18 and earn more than $450 before tax in a calendar month
- Under 18, work more than 30 hours per week and earn more than $450 before tax in a calendar month
This applies even if the staff are casual employees, part-time employees, contractors (provided the contract is mainly for their labour) or temporary residents.
How do you access superannuation?
Accessing your superannuation is a simple administrative procedure – you just ask your fund to pay it. You can access your superannuation in three different ways:
- Lump sum
- Account-based pension
- Part lump sum and part account-based pension
However, please note that your superannuation fund will only be able to make a payout if you meet the ‘conditions of release’. The conditions of release say you can claim your super when you reach:
- Age 65
- Your ‘preservation age’ and retire
- Your preservation age and begin a ‘transition to retirement’ while still working
The preservation age has six different categories:
Date of birth | Preservation age |
---|---|
Before 1 July 1960 | 55 |
1 July 1960 – 30 June 1961 | 56 |
1 July 1961 – 30 June 1962 | 57 |
1 July 1962 – 30 June 1963 | 58 |
1 July 1963 – 30 June 1964 | 59 |
From 1 July 1964 | 60 |
There are also seven special circumstances under which you can claim your superannuation:
- Compassionate grounds
- Severe financial hardship
- Temporary incapacity
- Permanent incapacity
- Superannuation inheritance
- Superannuation balance under $200
- Temporary resident departing Australia
How is superannuation regulated?
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) regulates ordinary superannuation accounts. Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) are regulated by the Australian Taxation Office.
What fees do superannuation funds charge?
Superannuation funds can charge a range of fees, including:
- Activity-based fees – for specific, irregular services, such as splitting an account after a divorce
- Administration fees – to cover the cost of managing your account
- Advice fees – for personal investment advice
- Buy/sell spread fees – when you make contributions, switches and withdrawals
- Exit fees – when you close your account
- Investment fees – to cover the cost of managing your investments
- Switching fees – when you choose a new investment option within the same fund
How many superannuation funds are there?
There are more than 200 different superannuation funds.