Answer
Lightning Payroll automatically updates details such as a super fund's name, phone number, ABN, and bank account information based on the USI (Unique Superannuation Identifier) entered. However, it does not silently change an existing USI on its own. Where the ATO fund register names a successor fund, Lightning Payroll detects it and offers to make the change for you, but it is always your decision to confirm. This is by design and for good reason.
Why are other details updated automatically?
When you enter a valid USI into Lightning Payroll, we match it against daily updates from the APRA Super Fund file via the ATO's ATOP Fund Validation Service. This file contains reliable and up-to-date information about:
- Super fund name
- ABN
- Contact phone number
- Bank account details
Since these details are tied directly to the USI, it is safe and consistent to auto-populate them once a valid USI is provided.
So why can't Lightning Payroll just update the USI too?
We cannot automatically update the USI itself because:
- USIs are unique: They act as identifiers for specific fund products and accounts. Automatically changing a USI could lead to incorrect super contributions or compliance issues.
- A successor is not always published: Where a fund closes through a successor fund transfer, the ATO fund register does now name the replacement USI, and Lightning Payroll uses it (see below). Where a fund simply winds up, rebrands, or retires a product without naming a successor, no such link exists and only the fund can tell you the correct new USI.
- Only the super fund can confirm: USI changes are often due to mergers or product changes. Only the fund can tell you what the correct new USI is for your employee's specific account.
- Data integrity matters: Automatically replacing a USI could interfere with historical records, reporting, and audit trails.
What if I think a USI has changed?
If you're aware of a change (e.g., a fund merger), the best approach is to:
- Confirm the new USI with the employee's super fund.
- Enter it as a new fund entry in Lightning Payroll, unless Lightning Payroll has already offered to move the fund onto the successor USI for you.
- Assign that new fund to the employee.
This ensures clean data, accurate historical records, and compliance with ATO reporting requirements.
When the register names a successor fund
When a fund closes through a successor fund transfer, the ATO fund register records the replacement fund and its USI. Lightning Payroll reads this each time it validates a fund for a super payment. If the payment date falls after the old USI's end date, a Super Fund USI Has Changed prompt appears naming both the fund stored in your software and the successor fund.
- Choose Update Now to move the fund onto the successor USI and refresh its ABN, name, bank account and electronic service address from the register.
- Choose Not Now to leave it unchanged. Nothing is altered, and the contribution will be rejected until the USI is corrected.
The prompt appears when you process super from Pays >> Payday Super, when you use Create Deposits on the Super Fund Deposits screen, and on the SuperStream contribution and direct entry steps. If the payment date is still before the old USI's end date, an advisory notice appears instead and Lightning Payroll offers to make the change once the new USI takes over.
Please note that updating changes the existing fund record in place, so the employees, deposits and history already attached to it are kept. There is no undo, and SuperStream messages that have already been sent are not altered. If you already store the successor USI against another fund, Lightning Payroll will not make the change, because two funds cannot share a USI.
Helpful resources
- USI Validator Tool: Check USI details here
- ClickSuper Fund Changes List: Review known fund changeovers (note: not official or comprehensive)
Summary
We update details like fund names and ABNs based on the USI because they are reliably tied to it via government data. We don't change the USI itself without asking, because outside a published successor fund transfer there is no reliable way to know which USI should replace another without direct confirmation from the fund. This protects your payroll records, ensures compliance, and avoids incorrect contributions.
