Kickstart 2026: Your super health check
The start of the year is a time to reflect and evaluate. It’s also a time to feel motivated, empowered and ready to take on the world.
We reset our routines, and we set new intentions. We look for ways to feel more prepared, more confident, more in control of what’s likely to come next.
You super deserves a place in this reset.
Not because super is urgent or overwhelming – but because its powerful. It’s one of the biggest financial assets many people will ever have, and it’s also one of the best ways your money can work for your future and for the kind of world you want to live in.
A few thoughtful checks now can make a meaningful difference over time. This is your super health check – a practical step-by-step checklist designed to help you start the year with clarity and momentum.
Why a super health check matters
Super often runs quietly in the background. Contributions come in, investments do their thing. Life moves on. But if you take a moment to engage with it, something shifts.
You can gain visibility, which can result in deliberate choices. It can help you turn your seemingly passive or static super balance into part of our active life plan.
And when more people invest with clarity and intention – by choosing where their money goes and what it supports – those individual decisions can add up. Together we can direct capital towards a stronger financial system and a better financial future.
Step 1
Review your contributions. Are you making the most of what you earn?
For many people, employer contributions are just the starting point.
A contribution check can help you understand:
- What’s going into your super today;
- Whether you could add a little more over time; and
- How salary sacrificing can boost your super in a tax-effective way.
Even small, regular contributions can compound into something meaningful. Salary sacrificing, in particular, can be one of the most effective ways to supercharge your super.
You can change or stop your salary sacrifice arrangement anytime – just speak to your payroll or HR. Seeking professional financial advice can be useful when making financial decisions.
It’s not about doing everything at once. It’s about knowing your options and choosing what supports the life you are building.
Step 2
Review your investments – is your money working the way you want it to?
Your super is always invested. You have the choice how.
This step is about alignment – alignment with your time horizon, your outlook, and what matters to you.
Ask yourself:
- Do I know where my super is invested?
- Does my investment option suit my stage of life?
- Am I comfortable with the influence my money is having today?
For some people, their super is their largest investment. Reviewing your option gives you confidence that your money is working hard – not just for long-term returns, but towards a future shaped by responsible, forward-looking investment decisions.
Learn more about how different investment options are tailored to people in different life stages. As always, it makes sense to seek financial advice when making decisions about your financial future.
Step 3
Protect what matters – are you covered, and are the right people looked after?
Life changes, which is something your super should reflect. Your retirement savings and insurance cover actually have an important role to play in protecting both you and people who rely on you.
Because insurance can provide financial support if illness, injury or death affects your ability to work or earn an income, a quick check can help you understand:
- What insurance cover you currently have through your super;
- Whether it still suits your income, responsibilities and stage of life – try our insurance calculator; and
- If it reflects changes in your work or personal circumstances.
Meanwhile, beneficiary nominations determine who receives your super and any benefits if something happens to you. Reviewing them helps ensure:
- The right people are nominated;
- Your details reflect your current life; and
- Your intentions are clear and up to date.
Together, these checks help give you piece of mind that you’re protected, and that people who matter most are looked after too. Log into your account to check your insurance and beneficiary nominations.
Step 4
Simplify your super – can you see the full picture?
Multiple super accounts are common, but they can make it harder to stay engaged and may result in your paying more than you need to, which could ultimately mean less money for you when it comes time to retire.
A quick clarity check on the following questions could help:
- Do I have more than one super account?
- Am I paying unnecessary fees?
- Would consolidating super accounts make my super easier to manage?
Simplifying your super can reduce costs, cut through complexity and make it easier to track your progress over time. You can find more information including a step-by-step guide on our Combine Your Super page.
