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, please call ComSuper on 1300 001 677.
About the Scheme
The DFRDB Scheme provides eligible members with an income when they leave the ADF, and also with security during their working life, by covering eligible members and their dependants in the event of their invalidity, retirement or death.
The DFRDB Scheme is a contributory superannuation scheme under which the benefits are financed by the member and the Department of Defence. The Scheme provides benefits for members who entered the ADF between 1 October 1972 and 30 September 1991, and also for contributors to the Defence Force Retirement Benefits (DFRB) Scheme who were compulsorily transferred to the DFRDB Scheme from its inception in 1972. Members who are receiving retirement or invalidity pay and who are resuming full-time ADF service should note the special requirements (see re-entered recipient members section).
In 1990, following a review of the DFRDB Scheme, the Australian 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 ADF automatically became members of the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MilitarySuper). For more on MilitarySuper, visit www.militarysuper.gov.au.
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 retire from the ADF on invalidity grounds
- benefits for your dependants when you die.
Who manages your Scheme?
The DFRDB Scheme is managed by the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits (DFRDB) Authority, with administrative support provided by the Chief Executive Officer of ComSuper. The Scheme's governing legislation is the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Act 1973 (the DFRDB Act).
The Authority comprises of the Chairman, and four other representatives who are nominated by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Science and Personnel and Indigenous Health and the Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force.
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 right 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.