Up to 6.9 million inactive super accounts will be rolled over into active accounts once the Stronger Super reforms kick in on January 1, 2014 according to Financial Services Minister Bill Shorten.

The Minister was in Melbourne this morning to launch a new Financial Services Council (FSC) and DST Global Solutions survey of over 7.2 million retail and corporate super accounts.

The research looked at one of the key changes under Stronger Super whereby inactive super accounts with less than $1,000 would automatically be consolidated into their owners' active accounts.

"This reform will reunite many Australians with lost and inactive super - bolstering their super savings and meaning they can enjoy a more secure and independent retirement," said Shorten.

"It will also reduce the red tape burden on the industry and mean lower fees for account holders, leaving them with more money to invest in their nest egg."

Head of the FSC John Brogden also maintained the reduction in the number of accounts in the system would improve overall efficiency.

"There are 28 million superannuation accounts - nearly three for every working Australian. Many people have forgotten they have small amounts of money in super accounts from jobs they had years ago," said Brogden.

"The automatic consolidation of inactive superannuation accounts will make the system more efficient and reduce overhead costs for superannuation funds. This is a big win for consumers as not only will it reunite people with their super, it will help drive superannuation fees lower."

However DST Global Solutions said the industry still had a lot of work to do to prepare for the changes.

"The main challenge for the superannuation industry in preparing for auto-consolidation relates to development and implementation of technology, as data aggregation will be the linchpin to achieving efficiency," said Philip Hogan, managing director, Asia Pacific at DST Global Solutions

According to the survey, the rollover process is seen as a "lengthy and cumbersome" one, heavy on paperwork and other time-consuming requirements, which often leads to Australians giving up on their efforts altogether.

"Respondents were unanimous that common data standards would make auto-consolidation more efficient, as standards will enable funds to communicate effectively with each other and with third parties, including the Australian Tax Office," said Hogan.