You can generally contribute a minimum of 2% and a maximum of 6% of super salary (after-tax) into Division E – these are the standard contributions restrictions. However if you are over age 40, you can contribute up to 8% in certain circumstances.

Your contribution rate will determine the growth rate of your accrued benefit multiple (ABM), which is then used to determine your super benefit.

The retirement benefit in Division E is generally a lump sum, calculated using your super salary near retirement and accrued benefit multiple.

Benefits are payable upon retirement from age 55.

Read more about retirement benefit options.

Resignation, retrenchment or super choice before age 55

If you resign, are retrenched or exercise Choice of Fund before age 55, you will generally be entitled to a lump sum, calculated based on your salary and accrued benefit multiple.

In some circumstances, you may be able to receive an ‘alternate’ lump sum calculation, based on your accumulated contribution balance.

Read more about benefit options payable upon resignation, retrenchment or super choice.

Disability before age 55

If you make a claim for disability which occurred before age 55 and that claim is accepted, you will receive an indexed pension.

Instead of a pension, you can choose to receive the amount which you would receive as your resignation lump sum benefit.

A child allowance may also be payable where relevant.

Read more about benefit options payable upon disability.

Death

If you have one, your spouse will receive a lump sum equal to the retirement benefit you would have been entitled to if you had retired from the Group at the date of your death.

A child allowance may also be payable where relevant.

If you do not have a surviving spouse your benefit will be paid to your legal personal representative, i.e. the executor or administrator of your estate, or to another person(s) determined by the trustee.

Read more about benefit options payable upon death.

Leave without pay (LWOP)

Generally, your contributions will automatically cease after you begin LWOP. Your LWOP will not count as service or fund membership for benefit calculation purposes and you will not accrue any new benefits. 

When you return from LWOP, your contributions will recommence at the rate that applied before your LWOP and your benefits will begin accruing as normal. 

Instead of ceasing contributions entirely, you can notify us in writing of your choice to either:

• Contribute at a reduced rate only to ensure that you continue to be entitled to receive death and disability benefits (although these benefits would remain lower than normal as you’ll have no benefit accrual during LWOP), or
• Continue all personal contributions at a higher rate than usual, in which case your LWOP is counted as fund membership and all benefits continue to accrue as normal.

For more information, please refer to the Leave without pay: Division E fact sheet.

Working part-time

The final average salary (FAS) used to calculate your benefit is the full-time equivalent of your part-time salary, so FAS does not ordinarily depend on the hours you work. Growth in your multiple is based on your hours of work so growth will be lower based on your new part-time hours. You may be able to offset this by increasing your contribution rate. 

Changing your working hours does not have any immediate effect on your benefit accrual up to the time of the change, but will affect the rate at which you accrue new benefits going forward. 

The benefits payable in the event of death or disablement will immediately reduce with a change to part-time employment, as a result of a slower future growth in your multiple. 

For more information, please refer to the Working part-time: Division E fact sheet.

The rules for Division E determine who can receive a benefit in the event of your death – you cannot nominate a beneficiary for this division. Read more about these rules in your Member Booklet.

You cannot contribute to your deferred/post-employment benefits in Division E.

The benefit available upon withdrawal, permanent incapacity or death is generally a lump sum equal to the benefit you deferred in Division E, adjusted for indexation until the date of payment. 

You can withdraw your benefit at any time, but you must withdraw it from Division E when you turn 60. If you choose to withdraw your benefit before age 55, other than for incapacity or death, a discounting factor may apply.

Read more about deferred/post-employment benefit options.

The rules for Division E determine who can receive a benefit in the event of your death – you cannot nominate a beneficiary for this division. Read more about these rules in your Member Booklet.