How to find your super fund's Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI) number

What is a Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI)?

A Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI) is a number used to identify different super funds and specific superannuation fund products. You may be asked to provide a USI when you are changing super funds and transferring some or all of your super balance between funds.

USI numbers were introduced in July 2014. The USI is used in the ‘SuperStream’ system, which businesses must use to pay employees’ super guarantee contributions.

Previously, super funds may have used either an Australian Business Number (ABN), Superannuation Product Identifier Number (SPIN), or a Superannuation Fund Number (SFN).

The USI has now replaced all of these for super funds regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), but some self-managed super funds (SMSFs) may still have an ABN.

Under super stapling rules introduced in November 2021, if you are moving to a new job and have an existing super account, your employer will be required to make super contributions into your existing fund by default, unless you opt to switch to another fund.

Stapling is designed to eliminate duplicate fees, although it’s worth keeping in mind that to get the most out of it, you will need to be in a strongly performing fund in the first place.

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How do I find my super fund’s USI?

Your super fund’s Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI) can often be found on your annual super statement or super fund’s website. It is typically provided in the super funds’ Letter of Compliance or in its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). A super fund may have only one USI or it may have a USI for each different superannuation product.

You can also find your fund’s USI through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)’s USI Lookup Table.

The ATO’s table lists the following information:

• Fund ABN.

• Fund name.

• SPIN.

• USI.

• Product name.

• Contribution restrictions.

Do I have a USI for my self-managed super fund (SMSF)?

SMSFs do not have Unique Superannuation Identifiers as they are not regulated by APRA. All SMSFs require an ABN to receive employer contributions, using SuperStream. The ABN is used as the super fund identifier to ensure data messages reach the correct fund.

To use SuperStream you will need the SMSF’s ABN, bank account details and electronic service address (ESA) to make contributions.

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Are there security risks involved with Unique Superannuation numbers (USI)?

Due to the Australian superannuation scheme being one of the largest investment schemes in the country, it is often a target for scammers. Super scams take on a variety of different forms, which is why it’s important to protect your personal super fund details including its Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI).

It’s ok to be sceptical of phone calls, emails or social media messages from people claiming to be from your super fund or another relevant government body, like the ATO. It’s often a good idea to check with your super fund directly, either by visiting their website through a secure online portal (with a https:// at the start) or by calling them directly on a phone number from a reputable source to confirm that the suspect correspondence you’ve been receiving is legitimate. Don’t give out personal information, such as your full name, date of birth, your super fund login information, which super fund you’re with or your super fund’s USI, without being sure that you are talking to your super fund.

Read More: Super scams: What are they and how to avoid them?

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