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Re-entered recipient members

Resuming ADF full-time service

If you are receiving DFRDB retirement pay or invalidity pay, or you have elected to a defer your benefit (but have not claimed it), and you re-enter the ADF on continuous full-time service (CFTS), you must make a DFRDB or MilitarySuper election before re-entry.

Failure to lodge a scheme election before re-entry will result in automatic MilitarySuper membership.

MilitarySuper membership is final and irreversible for your re-engagement and all future full time ADF engagements. You can never go back to the DFRDB Scheme as a contributor.

Your Scheme Election

Your scheme election depends on the nature and length of your re-engagement.

Returning to the Reserve Forces for Less than 12 Months

If this is your situation, you must elect before re-entry whether or not you want to join MilitarySuper. (Deferred benefit re-entrants do not get to make an election you automatically join MilitarySuper).

If you choose not to join MilitarySuper, you continue to receive DFRDB retirement pay but you do not re-join the DFRDB Scheme as a contributor. You will also accrue a productivity benefit but you will not have invalidity cover.

Note: You must make a scheme election before each re-entry to the Reserve Forces for less than 12 months (unless you have joined MilitarySuper, which is final). This includes any extensions to your contract. Failure to make an election before any re-entry will result in automatic MilitarySuper membership. Top

Returning to either the Reserve Forces for 12 months or more or the Permanent Forces for any full-time service

If this is your situation and you were a pension recipient (or had a deferred benefit), you must elect before re-entry whether you want to join MilitarySuper or re-join the DFRDB Scheme as a Contributing Member. Contributions are due for the scheme you choose, and your retirement pay is not paid during the period of service. After discharge, your retirement pay will be recalculated and will recommence.

Note: If you choose the DFRDB scheme, your election continues to apply to all subsequent re-entries to the ADF of the same nature (that is, in the Reserve Forces for 12 months or more or in the Permanent Forces again). In this situation, to advise ComSuper of your return to the ADF, you should however complete Part D of the D100 form and lodge the form with ComSuper before your service begins. But if you re-enter the Reserve Forces for a period of less than 12 months, you will have to make another election.

Making Your Election

Please make your election on the D100 form. The D100 form has replaced the DM100 form.

Joining MilitarySuper

If you join MilitarySuper, you must contribute to MilitarySuper and your DFRDB retirement pay will be suspended during your engagement. After discharge, your DFRDB retirement pay will recommence (including any CPI adjustments) and you will be entitled to MilitarySuper benefits. MilitarySuper benefits are generally not payable before preservation age. You may want to seek professional advice for your individual circumstances

The circumstances described above apply to recipients of DFRDB Retirement Pay. If you are in receipt of Invalidity Pay and are contemplating re-entry to the ADF, please contact ComSuper.