The idea behind
ClearSuper.
What if superannuation data was actually designed for people?
ClearSuper is a proof of concept not financial advice.
Hi there,
I'm Ethan
I'm a computer science student based in Australia with a deep interest in technology and building products that solve real problems.
ClearSuper started from a simple realisation. I didn't understand my own super, and neither did most people I knew.
Super is a big deal. It touches almost every working Australian across their entire career. Working as a disability support worker, I've seen firsthand how much the interaction between people, technology and systems matter. Technology when used responsibly, has the ability to address gaps in the systems we all depend on.
ClearSuper is my attempt at that.
About ClearSuper
Why I Built ClearSuper
A few years ago I was doing Menulog deliveries during the pandemic. As a gig worker I wasn't earning super, so a family member suggested I contribute some of my earnings myself. I didn't. At 19, I wasn't interested. Truth be told, I had never even logged into my account.
Turns out I wasn't unusual. Research from AMP found a quarter of Australians have never checked their super. Engagement is an ongoing challenge. And I was a clear example of it.
Since then I've spent time trying to understand. Both at a system and personal level. I often wonder what could have made my 19 year old self stop and think a little longer. To me, super never really felt real. Until one day it did. I saw how it could play out over a lifetime. And that it didn't always play out evenly.
It's a hard problem. Super is long term by design, yet digital spaces increasingly demand our attention in ways that aren't.
It's an observiaton I don't have a clean answer for. But it's something I keep coming back to.
People increasingly expect digital experiences to feel visual, personal and tangible. I believe the digital side of super is only going to become more important in making super feel personal. ClearSuper is a proof of concept that explores some of that. One attempt at what more accessible, visual engagement with super could look like. The data is public. Making it engaging is the challenge.
If you have thoughts, I'd genuinely like to hear them.
Two things
ClearSuper explores.
ClearSuper takes public holdings data and makes it easier to digest, turning abstract holdings into something tangible on your screen. Real companies. Dollar amounts that reflect the structure of your fund at the time it was reported, scaled to your balance.
It also includes a super gap calculator. Career breaks, reduced hours, lower salaries. These happen for very human reasons. They are real experiences that are hard to make tangible. But they create real gaps. How do you translate a gap into something concrete? Coffees. Dental appointments. Overseas trips. The goal is to communicate these concepts digitally in a way that feels understandable and less abstract to a younger audience.
Example
This is not $1,000 of your money in BHP shares - it reflects the structure of the option your money sits within.
Disclaimer
The full picture.
The short version
ClearSuper is not a financial product and is not licensed to provide financial advice. Holdings show the structure of a fund relative to your entered balance, using reported weights to calculate dollar amounts. This is not an exact or live breakdown. Calculators are models based on assumptions and are not predictions of future outcomes. Do not use ClearSuper to make financial decisions. Refer to the ATO, Moneysmart, or your fund's PDS for licensed resources.
Feedback is very welcome.