Important Things To Know About Your Super: Australiansuper Product Disclosure Statement
Important Things To Know About Your Super: Australiansuper Product Disclosure Statement
to know about
your super
AustralianSuper
Product Disclosure Statement
25 September 2020
australiansuper.com/join
MySuper Authorised 65 714 394 898 856
Issued by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987 AFSL 233788
Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898 USI STA0100AU
26/50 Lonsdale St MELBOURNE VIC 3000
1 About AustralianSuper
This Product Disclosure Statement explains the key
features and benefits of being with AustralianSuper.
AustralianSuper is Australia’s largest industry super fund – trusted by 2.3 million
Australians to look after $182 billion in assets*. Here’s why:
You come first
As a profit-for-member super fund, we act in your best interests and not the interests
of shareholders.
Helping you build a better future
We’re committed to providing strong, long-term returns to help you build a better future.
Working with employers
We work with around 333,000 employers Australia-wide.
Award-winning products and services
You can be confident knowing your super is being managed by an award-winning
fund (see back cover).
MySuper Authorised
AustralianSuper is MySuper Authorised 65 714 394 898 856 and can accept all
Superannuation Guarantee contributions from employers.
A copy of the product dashboard for AustralianSuper’s MySuper Balanced option
is available at australiansuper.com/MySuperDashboard
Other information
You can find important information, including our Trust Deed, Annual Report and
remuneration for executive officers, at australiansuper.com
* As at 30 June 2020.
2
2 How super works
Super is an important way for you to save for retirement.
Super is an investment for your future and the sooner money starts going into
your account, the better off you’ll be when you retire. That’s because, over the long
term, your super grows from investment returns and any money that’s added to
your account.
There are many ways money can be added (contributed) to your account.
Superannuation Guarantee contributions
Employers pay a compulsory contribution to your super known as the Superannuation
Guarantee (SG). Currently, this is an amount equal to 9.5% of your annual salary
(subject to salary cap).
There are also other types of contributions that could help you grow your super.
Personal contributions
› Before-tax* – includes salary sacrifice contributions made by you, any personal
contributions for which you claim a tax deduction and voluntary contributions
made by your employer for which they claim a tax deduction.
› After-tax* – includes any extra additional contributions you make from your
take-home pay, for which you don’t advise us you wish to claim a tax deduction.
Useful information to know
Tax benefits are provided by the Government to encourage you to save more for
retirement and grow your super over time.
You generally can’t access your super savings until you’re 55 or over, depending on
the year you were born. To learn more about accessing your super, rollovers and
preservation age, visit australiansuper.com/AccessYourSuper
It’s your super, it’s your choice
Normally you can tell your employer where you want your super to be paid. But in
some cases, it depends on your employment contract. If you don’t make a choice
or tell your employer where you want your super paid, they’ll pay your contributions
to their preferred super fund.
Protecting your super
If you have an account balance below $6,000, legislation requires us to transfer
your account to the Australian Tax Office (ATO) after 16 months of inactivity. Where
possible, the ATO will transfer your account to your active super fund. To find out
how to keep your AustralianSuper account active, visit australiansuper.com/pys
Combine your super and transfer your insurance to save
If you’ve had more than one job in the past, you may have more than one super
account and several insurance policies. Having multiple accounts isn’t just messier
– it could be a lot more expensive. Learn more about combining your super and
transferring insurance cover at australiansuper.com/combine
* Depending on your income and personal circumstances, you may be better off contributing before or after tax,
or using a combination of both. The Government places limits on the amount that can be contributed to super.
To learn more, visit australiansuper.com/InfoTax
3
3 Benefits of investing
with AustralianSuper
We’re here to help you get the most from your money today and tomorrow.
That’s why we offer simple and effective solutions to help you manage your account.
* Investment returns aren’t guaranteed. Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future returns.
† Financial advice provided face-to-face and over the phone will be under the Australian Financial Services
Licence held by a third party and not by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd (AustralianSuper) and therefore isn’t
the responsibility of AustralianSuper. With your approval a fee may be charged if a Statement of Advice
is produced.
4
4 Risks of super
All investments, including super, have some risk.
How you invest your super will depend on your age, how long you’ll invest your
super, other investments you may have, and your tolerance for volatility.
Volatility is when the returns on your investment go up or down over time.
The level of volatility your super investment could have will depend on the types
of assets that your super is invested in. Assets are investments such as shares,
property, fixed interest, or cash.
Different types of assets have different levels of potential return and volatility.
Generally, higher long-term returns are accompanied by a greater potential for
volatility in the short term.
You can choose from a range of investment options, each with a different mix of
assets. So, the likely investment return and the level of potential volatility of returns
involved are different for each option.
What you need to think about
When considering your super, it’s important to understand that:
› investment returns may go up and down over time and the value of investments
will vary, so the value of your super may also go up and down
› investing too conservatively can be risky because over the long term your
investment may not earn a return above the inflation rate
› returns aren’t guaranteed, and you may lose some of your money
› past returns aren’t a reliable indicator of future returns
› the laws affecting your super may change
› the amount of your future super savings (including contributions and returns)
may not be enough for your retirement.
More information
For more information about available investment options,
the different asset classes and investment risk, download our
Investment Guide, available at australiansuper.com/RefInvestments
5
5 How we invest your money
How we invest your money when you join:
If you complete the Join If you join online at
AustralianSuper form you’ll be australiansuper.com/join you can
invested in the Balanced option OR choose your own investment
(MySuper) until you make an option/s through the join process.
investment choice.
* Investment information is current at the date of publication and may change from time to time.
See australiansuper.com/AssetAllocation for updated information. Investment returns aren’t guaranteed.
†CPI stands for Consumer Price Index – which is used as a measure of inflation.
‡ Investments that represent unique opportunities or strategies. Examples may include strategic equity
holdings, commodities, royalties, leases and other alternative approaches.
6
AustralianSuper has a range of investment options
to suit a wide range of investors.
Combines a mix of asset classes to provide Made up of a single asset class. With DIY Mix
different types and levels of risk and options you can select a combination of
potential return. asset classes to suit you.
› High Growth › Australian Shares
› Balanced › International Shares
› Socially Aware › Property
› Indexed Diversified › Diversified Fixed Interest
› Conservative Balanced › Cash
› Stable
Member Direct investment option enables you to invest in your choice of stocks in the S&P/ASX 300
Index, selected Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), selected Listed Investment Companies (LICs), term
deposits and cash.
You should read the important information about our investment options before
making a decision. Go to australiansuper.com/RefInvestments and download our
Investment guide. This contains information about our other investment options
including the risk and expected returns over different periods of time.
You should consider the likely investment return, risk, and your investment
timeframe when choosing an investment option.
The material relating to our investment options may change between the time
when you read this PDS and the day when you acquire the product.
7
6 Fees and costs
Did you know?
Small differences in both investment performance and fees and costs can have a
substantial impact on your long-term returns. For example, total annual fees and
costs of 2% of your account balance rather than 1% could reduce your final return
by up to 20% over a 30-year period (for example, reduce it from $100,000 to
$80,000). You should consider whether features such as superior investment
performance or the provision of better member services justify higher fees and
costs. You or your employer, as applicable, may be able to negotiate to pay lower
fees. Ask the fund or your financial adviser.
To find out more
If you would like to find out more, or see the impact of fees based on your own
circumstances, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
website (moneysmart.gov.au) has a superannuation calculator to help you check
out different fee options.
EQUALS If your balance was $50,000, then for that year you will
cost of product be charged fees of $387 for the superannuation product.
You should read the important information about fees and costs before making
a decision. Go to australiansuper.com/RefFees
This contains information about service fees and fees for our other investment
options. The material relating to our fees may change between the time when you
read this PDS and the day when you acquire the product.
* The investment fee is for the 2019/20 financial year and is likely to change from year to year.
† The financial advice you receive will be provided under the Australian Financial Services Licence held by
a third party and not by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd (AustralianSuper) and therefore isn’t the responsibility of
AustralianSuper. With your approval a fee may be charged if a Statement of Advice is provided.
9
7 How super is taxed
Tax on contributions
The tax paid on super contributions depends on the amount and type of contribution.
Tax is deducted after the contribution is received. There are limits on how much you
can contribute, and if you exceed these limits you may pay extra tax.
Type Tax on contributions in 2020/2021
If your income is $250,000 or less, 15% will be applied to contributions up to the
before-tax contributions cap of $25,000.
If your income (including your before-tax contributions) is over $250,000, all or
Before-tax some of your before-tax contributions will be taxed at 30%.
contribution Contributions that exceed the cap will be taxed at your personal rate (less a 15%
tax offset), plus an interest charge.
You can choose to withdraw up to 85% of excess contributions, which won’t then
count towards your after-tax limit.
No tax on amounts up to the after-tax contributions cap of $100,000 a year
(or $300,000 over 3 years if certain conditions are met).
You can choose to withdraw any excess contributions plus 85% of its earnings.
After-tax
These earnings will be taxed at your personal rate (less a 15% tax offset). If you
contribution
don’t withdraw the excess contributions, they will be taxed at 47%* in the fund.
There may be restrictions on the after-tax contributions you can make if you
already have a very large balance in your super account/s.
Tax on investment earnings: Investment earnings are taxed at up to 15%. This tax
is deducted from the crediting rate that applies to your super, before the earnings
are credited to your account.
Tax on withdrawals: Your super is made up of two components: taxable and tax-free.
There’s no tax payable on the tax-free component. Lump sum withdrawals are
generally tax-free if you’re aged 60 or over.
Tax on the taxable component† if you’re under 60
2020/2021 – If you’re between your preservation age and 59, the first $215,000 is tax-free and the
balance is taxed at 17%*.
If you’re younger than your preservation age, your lump sum withdrawal will be taxed at 22%*.
You should provide your Tax File Number (TFN). If we don’t have your TFN,
your before-tax contributions and withdrawals are taxed at a higher rate and we
can’t accept after-tax contributions from you. You should read the important
information about providing your TFN before making a decision.
Go to australiansuper.com/RefTFN The material relating to tax may change
between the time when you read this PDS and the day when you acquire the product.
If you don’t want your basic cover to start automatically when you become
eligible, you can opt out by cancelling it. If you don’t cancel it, the cost of your
basic cover will be deducted monthly from your super account from the latest of
the dates shown above. See the Change your cover anytime section on page 14
to learn how you can cancel it – even if it hasn’t started yet.
12
New member offer
You can apply once to either start your basic cover or apply for more cover* without
providing detailed health information†.
Or by answering a few questions, you can apply for even more cover.
Total cover you can apply for Total cover you can apply for
Type of cover
with no health checks with a few health questions
To take up this offer you’ll need to apply within 120 days of the date on your
welcome letter.
Higher cover is available but you’ll need to provide detailed health information
for the Insurer to consider.
How to apply for the new member offer
There are four ways to apply:
› when you join online at australiansuper.com/join or by using the Join
AustralianSuper form in this PDS, or
› by completing the Set up your account form you receive with your welcome letter, or
› by using the app, or
› by logging into your account and going to My insurance, then Change my insurance.
Any additional cover will be limited cover for at least two years.
There are a number of reasons why cover may be limited cover. See the Limited cover
section in the Insurance in your super guide for your division at
australiansuper.com/InsuranceGuide
Limited cover means you won’t be covered for any illnesses or injuries you had before
you got your cover and it may last for different lengths of time.
If you don’t take up the new member offer, or you’re not eligible, you can still apply for,
change or cancel cover anytime, but you’ll need to provide detailed health information
for the Insurer to consider. See the next page for more information.
13
Change your cover anytime
You can apply for, change or cancel insurance cover anytime by using the app,
logging into your account or completing the appropriate form
at australiansuper.com/InsuranceForms
Some examples of changes you can make include:
› reducing or increasing the amount of cover you have
› applying to change your work rating
› applying to transfer cover from another fund or insurer
› applying to change your Income Protection benefit payment period or waiting period.
Use our calculator at australiansuper.com/InsuranceCalculator to work out the
right level of cover for you, and the cost of it.
If you apply to make any changes to your basic cover or transfer cover from elsewhere
and your application is accepted, your cover will start automatically (if you’re receiving
employer contributions into your super account), even if you haven’t turned 25 and/or
your super balance hasn’t reached $6,000. This means that the cost of your cover will
start to be deducted monthly from your super account from the later of the date your
application is accepted and the date your cover starts.
If you cancel your cover now you might not be able to get cover later. That’s because
you’ll need to reapply and provide detailed health information for our Insurer to consider.
About work ratings
We offer three types of individual work ratings: Standard, Low Risk and Professional.
A Standard work rating is automatically given to most new members, regardless of
their occupation (including manual or hazardous occupations).
A Standard work rating means your cover is the most expensive.
But if you spend at least 80% of your time in an office environment and don’t do
any manual work, you may be eligible for a Low Risk or Professional rating, which
means your cover will cost less. If you think you’re eligible, complete the work
rating questions when you join online at australiansuper.com/join or on the Join
AustralianSuper form in this PDS. If you’re interested in applying to change your work
rating within the new member offer, make sure you change it at the same time and not
beforehand. You won’t be eligible for the offer if you change your work rating before
you change your cover. Your application is subject to approval by the Insurer.
Our commitment to you
We’re a participant of the Insurance in Superannuation Voluntary Code of Practice.
Learn about the Code, our insurance strategy and our premium adjustment
arrangements at australiansuper.com/InsuranceCode
Read important information about our insurance before making a decision. The
Insurance in your super guide for your division at australiansuper.com/InsuranceGuide
includes terms and conditions about insurance, including costs, your eligibility for
cover, how much you can apply for, what you’re covered for, when it starts and
stops, limited cover and exclusions, and your insurance options.
Your eligibility to claim for benefits will be determined by the Insurer in line with
our insurance policy terms and conditions.
The material relating to insurance may change between the time when you read
this PDS and the day when you acquire the product.
At the same time, you can apply to either start your basic cover or apply for up to
$1 million Death and TPD cover or $20,000 a month Income Protection cover without
needing to provide detailed health information (age limits and conditions apply).
15
We’re here to help
Just give us a call or send us an email.
1300 300 273
8am–8pm AEST/AEDT weekdays
australiansuper.com/email
australiansuper.com
GPO Box 1901, Melbourne VIC 3001
1300 366 273 (Fax)
Readers Digest Most Trusted Brands – Superannuation category winner for eight years running 2013–2020,
according to research conducted by independent research agency Catalyst Research.
1266.0 09/20 ISS12
Forms to open and set up
your account
Many people find it quicker and easier to open their account online at australiansuper.com/join
or you can use these forms to open and get the most out of your account.
I want to…
Join AustralianSuper Complete this form in full to join AustralianSuper and to start or make changes to your basic
insurance cover.
Pay my super into If you have an employer who makes super contributions for you, complete this form and
AustralianSuper give it to them.
Combine my super into Complete this form to transfer another super account to AustralianSuper. If you want to
AustralianSuper combine more than two accounts into your AustralianSuper account you can make
photocopies of the form or combine online at australiansuper.com/combine
Issued by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987 AFSL 233788 Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898
Join AustralianSuper
If I provide my email address and/or phone number, I’m consenting to AustralianSuper communicating with me via email, my online
account, mobile app and phone as appropriate. I understand I can change my communication preferences through my online account
or by calling 1300 300 273.
Street address
Full name Address Relationship Benefit When you use this form
to you proportion %
to nominate beneficiaries,
you’re telling us which of your
dependants you’d like us to pay
your super to if you die. We’re
not bound by your nomination,
but we use this information as
a guide to work out who to pay
your benefit to.
Total must add up to 100%
Issued by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987 AFSL 233788 Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898 1266.0 IND JOIN 09/20 ISS12 page 1 of 6
4. CHANGE YOUR INSURANCE (OPTIONAL)
You automatically receive basic (age-based) Death, Total & Permanent Disablement (TPD) and Income Protection cover with your
super account. This cover will start once you’ve turned 25; and when your balance reaches $6,000; and you’re receiving employer
contributions (age limits and other conditions apply). This is described on pages 11 to 14 of the Product Disclosure Statement.
Complete this section to apply to start your cover, change your cover amount or type, individual work rating, Income Protection
waiting period, or to cancel your cover. If you apply to make any changes to your basic cover and your application is accepted, your
cover will start automatically (if you’re receiving contributions into your super account), even if you haven’t turned 25 and/or your
super balance hasn’t reached $6,000. This means that the cost of your cover will start to be deducted monthly from your super
account from the later of the date your application is accepted and the date your cover starts.
If you haven’t turned 25, you’re not eligible for age-based cover, but you can apply for extra or fixed cover by completing
Sections 4.7 and/or Section 4.8 below. Read about our insurance options in section 4.6 first.
Issued by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987 AFSL 233788 Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898 1266.0 IND JOIN 09/20 ISS12 page 3 of 6
4.7 Death and/or TPD cover
Complete this section to apply for or change your age-based Death and TPD cover. Print (7) to confirm what you want to do.
Changing your Death or TPD cover To apply for higher cover amounts, you’ll need to
You can use this form to apply for: provide detailed health information for the Insurer to
• total cover up to $600,000 without health checks, or consider. There’s no limit on the amount of Death cover
• total cover above $600,000 (capped at $1 million or 10 times you can apply for and TPD is limited to $3 million. To
your salary*, whichever is lower) by answering a few health apply complete the Change your insurance form at
questions in Section 4.9. australiansuper.com/InsuranceForms
*S
alary is your annual (before-tax) salary, excluding employer super contributions.
Apply for fixed Fixed Death $ , , 0 0 0 Write the amount of fixed cover you
cover want. If you have age-based cover it’ll be
Fixed TPD† $ , , 0 0 0 replaced with fixed cover.
† Any amount of fixed TPD cover will reduce gradually from age 61 to zero at age 65.
Changing your Income Protection The amount of Income Protection you can apply for
You can use this form to apply for: is limited to 85% of your salary. Up to 75% is paid to
you and up to 10% to your super. Salary is your annual
• total cover up to $10,000 a month without health checks, or
• total cover above $10,000 a month (capped at $20,000 a month), (before-tax) salary, excluding employer super contributions.
by answering a few health questions in Section 4.9. Example
You’ll need to provide detailed health information for the Insurer Ben earns $78,000 a year (before-tax), excluding
to consider if you want to apply:
employer super contributions. The maximum cover
• for cover above $20,000 a month (capped at $30,000 a month), or amount he can apply for is:
• for more Income Protection and you’re aged 65-69, or
• to change your benefit payment period to up to five years or $78,000 x 0.85
= $5,525 a month
up to age 65. 12 (months)
To apply complete the Change your insurance form at Ben can apply for up to $5,600 of Income Protection
australiansuper.com/InsuranceForms a month (rounded up to the nearest $100).
For
more information about Income Protection waiting periods and benefit payment periods (including the different costs)
download our Insurance in your super guide at australiansuper.com/InsuranceGuide
3. Have you been diagnosed with an illness or injury that reduces your life expectancy to less than 12 months? Yes No
4. Have you ever been declined Death, TPD or Income Protection cover, or been excluded from
insurance cover for a specific medical condition or injury? Yes No
5. Have you ever made or satisfied the requirements to make a claim for an injury or illness either in
Australia or overseas through:
• AustralianSuper or another super fund
• Workers’ Compensation
• an illness benefit or invalid pension
• an insurance Policy that provides Terminal illness, TPD cover, or Income Protection (including accident
or illness cover), or
• a common law settlement? Yes No
Name of business
If your adviser is from Industry Fund Services (IFS), your adviser’s access to your account will automatically expire three years after
the date you signed this form.
Issued by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987 AFSL 233788 Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898 1266.0 IND JOIN 09/20 ISS12 page 5 of 6
7. DECLARATION
Sign here:
Date
D D M M Y Y Y Y
Member to complete
Please complete your details below and provide this form to your employer if you want them to pay your super into your
AustralianSuper account.
Employee details
Employee name:
Sign here:
Date
D D M M Y Y Y Y
Print full name
Give this form to your employer. Don’t send it to us or the Australian Taxation Office.
Fund details
AustralianSuper
Fund name:
STA0100AU
Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI):
*Q uickSuper is managed by Westpac and is not the responsibility of AustralianSuper. QuickSuper is a registered trademark and a product owned and
operated by Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141. Westpac’s terms and conditions applicable to the QuickSuper service are available
after your eligibility for the free clearing house service is assessed by AustralianSuper. A Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) is available from
Westpac upon request.
† You can choose to submit your contributions using a different service, but it needs to meet the Government’s minimum data standards as legislated
in the Stronger Super reforms. You can find out more by visiting ato.gov.au/Business/Super-for-employers/Paying-super-contributions
Issued by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987 AFSL 233788 Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898 1266.0 IND JOIN 09/20 ISS12 page 1 of 1
This page has been left blank intentionally.
Issued by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987 AFSL 233788 Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898
Combine your super into AustralianSuper
Request to transfer whole or partial balance of super account to AustralianSuper
Please complete in pen using CAPITAL letters and print 7 to mark boxes where applicable. Form must be completed in full.
This form can’t be used to transfer self managed super account balances to your AustralianSuper account.
To arrange a rollover from your self managed super account, please contact the administrator of your account. They will
need to send us a Rollover Benefit Statement and a cheque payable to AustralianSuper.
X X X X X
First name Date of birth
D D M M Y Y Y Y
Other/previous names
Street address
Male Female Email
If I provide my email address and/or phone number, I am consenting to AustralianSuper communicating with me via email, my online
account, mobile app and phone as appropriate. I understand I can change my communication preferences through my online account
or by calling 1300 300 273.
If you have more than one account with this fund, or want to combine your super from multiple funds, you can photocopy this form.
You must complete a separate form, with original signature for each account you wish to combine into your AustralianSuper account.
If you have more than one account with this fund, or want to combine your super from multiple funds, you can photocopy this form
You must complete a separate form, with original signature for each account you wish to combine into your AustralianSuper account.
Before combining your super (and your other account closes) you should consider any penalties that may apply (i.e. fees and charges,
effect on insurance cover and loss of benefits). When you combine your super account, any insurance cover you have with your
other super fund doesn’t transfer. If you want to transfer your cover, you’ll need to do this before you combine your super. For more
information about transferring cover, read our Insurance in your super guide at australiansuper.com/InsuranceGuide
Issued by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987 AFSL 233788 Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898 1266.0 IND JOIN 09/20 ISS12 page 1 of 2
STEP 4. YOUR TAX FILE NUMBER
Important information
1. You can't nominate a balance transfer date. The balance • transfer benefits from multiple funds on one form –
transfer will start with within three business days of the date you must use a separate form for each fund you wish
we receive your completed application. to transfer
• change the fund to which your employer pays your
2. If you want to transfer any insurance cover you have with your
contributions
previous fund to AustralianSuper, you’ll need to complete
an Insurance transfer form before you combine your super. • open a new super account, or
Download a copy at australiansuper.com/InsuranceForms • transfer benefits under certain conditions or
circumstances, for example if there is a superannuation
3. If you wish to claim a tax deduction for personal super agreement under the Family Law Act 1975 in place.
contributions, you must lodge a notice of intent to claim a
tax deduction with your FROM fund, before you combine Providing your TFN
your super into another fund. We’re authorised under super law to collect, use and disclose
4. If you're making a whole balance transfer, check any your Tax File Number (TFN). You don’t have to provide your
remaining employer contributions have been received and TFN, but if we have it, we’ll be able to accept all types
no future payments will be made into your FROM account. of contributions into your account, you won’t pay more
tax than you need to and it’ll be easier to find your super.
5. This form doesn’t:
If you transfer your super to another fund, we’ll give
• transfer super benefits if you don’t know where your them your TFN unless you tell us not to in writing. Visit
super is australiansuper.com/RefTFN for more details.