Banks will earn a return on your investment with them by lending money to other parties and charging interest. Super funds will invest in the share market and public projects (among other things) in order to earn a return on your money. In both cases part of the return on the investment comes your way as interest, and part is taken by the bank/super fund in order to make their profits/cover their costs.
The government cannot use the money you have invested in super. It is at your fund's (REST's) discretion where the money is invested.
For more information, read up on the money multiplier effect.
Considering the tax and other advantages you get for leaving your money in your super until retirement, and the penalties that you incur for withdrawing, I strongly suggest that you do not withdraw your super. The whole system is designed so that the money remains there until you retire, and REST generally gives a reasonable return on investment anyway.
I'm not sure how much money exactly I have in my REST superannuation account but I know that I do have some.
I want to know if I can assess that money and move it into a savings account as I recently found out that your super can be used by the government to invest in things etc without your consent.
