Introduction
The purpose of this booklet
This booklet has been designed to provide you with information on the main features of the Defence Force Retirement & Death Benefits (DFRDB) Scheme. This booklet covers how your benefits are calculated when you leave the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
You should use this booklet to help gain an understanding of your entitlements under the Scheme. You can do this by working through the examples provided. However, should you need any additional information, ring ComSuper on 1300 001 677.
About your Scheme
The DFRDB Scheme provides you with an income when you leave the ADF, and also with security during your working life, by covering you and your dependants in the event of your invalidity retirement or death.
The DFRDB Scheme is a contributory superannuation scheme under which the benefits are financed by you and your employer, the Department of Defence. The Scheme provides benefits for Members who entered the Defence Force between 1 October 1972 and 30 September 1991, and also for contributors to the Defence Forces Retirement Benefits (DFRB) Scheme who were compulsorily transferred to the DFRDB Scheme from its inception in 1972. Recipient Members re-entering the Defence Force should note the special requirements located here.
In 1990, following a review of the DFRDB Scheme, the Government decided to introduce a new Defence Force superannuation scheme. The DFRDB Scheme was closed to new Members from 30 September 1991, and from 1 October 1991 all new entrants to the Defence Force automatically became Members of the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MilitarySuper).Top
What are your Scheme’s main features?
Briefly, the DFRDB Scheme offers:
- retirement benefits that become available when you have completed 20 years’ service, or 15 years’ service and you have reached your retiring age for rank
- invalidity benefits if you are forced to retire from the ADF for medical reasons
- benefits for your dependants when you die.
Who manages your Scheme?
The DFRDB Scheme is managed by the DFRDB Authority, with administrative support provided by the Commissioner for Superannuation and the staff of ComSuper. The Scheme’s governing legislation is the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Act 1973 (the DFRDB Act).
The Authority comprises the Commissioner for Superannuation, who is Chairman, and four other representatives who are nominated by the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence and the Chiefs of the three Services.
The Authority is responsible for making sure that the provisions of the DFRDB Act are applied fairly to all Members of the Scheme. The Authority has delegated most of its powers and functions under the Act so that delegates and authorised officers make the majority of primary decisions. The Authority reserves the power to reconsider any of those decisions.
Some of the primary decisions on invalidity classification are taken after consideration of cases by the Committee of Alternates. This committee is made up of the deputies of the Members of the Authority and is chaired by a senior officer from ComSuper.