Public Sector Superannuation Advice
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Public Sector Superannuation Schemes
Public Sector Superannuation schemes can be quite complex and difficult to understand. Our team of Advisors have vast experience with advising public servants on these schemes.
Below are some of the main financial queries which we help our clients calculate and understand:
The majority of Civil Servants who commenced full-time employment in a public sector position are members of one of the two main Superannuation schemes:
- Pre-2013 Superannuation Scheme
- New Single Superannuation Scheme – Post 2013
Both of these schemes provide life insurance, sick pay entitlements and pension benefits to their members.
In order to qualify for these benefits, contributions must be made to earn these benefits.
Compulsory Contributions to earn Superannuation Entitlements
The two main compulsory contributions are as follows:
1. Pension Contributions
- For each payslip, a contribution of roughly 5% of your Gross (before Tax) earnings is made.
- These are compulsory contributions and are usually visible on each payslip (right-hand side). The deductions can be named differently on your payslip, depending on which department you are being paid from. The most popular titles for these deductions are:
- Pension Grouped
- Pension 170
- Additional Superannuation Contributions (ASC)
2. Spouses’ and children’s Benefit deduction
Another compulsory deduction that is visible on most payslips is called ‘the Spouses’ and Children’s benefit.
This can often be named “1.5% Sp & Ch” on your payslip. This deduction entitles you to a Death in Service benefit (see below).
Superannuation Benefits and Entitlements
- Every year you work, you earn entitlements as a public servant from whichever superannuation scheme you are a member of.
- The benefits and entitlements are calculated differently with each scheme. Generally speaking, the Pre-2013 scheme benefits are more significant, particularly when comparing the pension entitlements.
- The tax-free lump sum and pension entitlements are roughly 40% more with the Pre-2013 scheme than the post-2013 scheme.
Pension Queries We Help Clients With
Pension Entitlements
- Tax-Free Lumps sums and annual pension calculations
- The implications of retiring early, resigning/leaving the public service, taking a career break, or taking an unpaid leave
- Retiring on Cost Neutral grounds
- Retiring on ill health Grounds
AVCs
- whether you are overfunded or underfunded
- The tax implications of any AVC Funds on retirement (if overfunded)
- How to use AVCs to max out your Tax-free lump sums
- Whether you should start, stop or restart your AVCs
Last Minute AVCs
- When these are required and how to set up/draw down these funds
- Sick Pay Entitlements
- Death In Service Entitlements
- Spouses’ and Children’s Benefit
Get in touch with us
Speak with one of our Qualified Financial Advisors to review your Superannuation scheme, pension benefits, AVC options, and retirement planning position.