Seminars
Military Superannuation Seminars
On behalf of the DFRDB Authority, the MSB Board, and the Department of Defence, ComSuper is committed to a Membership seminar program designed to help members understand how their Military superannuation schemes work, and assist members awareness of the level of superannuation protection in the event of invalidity or death, and the benefits options available following discharge.
DFRDB and MilitarySuper membership and benefits seminars are held continuously throughout Australia. These are in addition to ComSuper's participation in Defence Resettlement seminars.
The Seminars are free.
Seminar Requests Invited
Membership seminars are usually arranged, following request, directly with individual establishments, units, ships and the like. The types of seminars offered and usual duration are :
- MilitarySuper New entrants - Introduction - 1 hour
- MilitarySuper Membership and Benefits - 1 hour 30 minutes
- DFRDB Membership and Benefits - 1 hour 10 minutes
- MilitarySuper and DFRDB Medical Discharge - 35 minutes
- Taxation of Superannuation Benefits, Rollover Issues, and Superannuation Surcharge - 1 hour 15 minutes
The seminars can be tailored and timed to fit in with operational requirements. If required, a full suite of seminars can be presented in one day, and Members invited to attend the session/s most appropriate to their needs. Larger establishments may wish to arrange seminars over two days. A typical program for a full day would be:
- 0900 - 1030 MilitarySuper Membership and Benefits Seminar
- 1100 - 1215 DFRDB Membership and Benefits Seminar
- 1330 - 1445 Taxation of Superannuation Pension and Lump Sum Benefits and Superannuation Surcharge Seminar
- 1500 - 1545 MilitarySuper and DFRDB Medical Discharge Seminar
Unit Pay Representatives and Defence Corporate Support personnel are encouraged to review their seminar requirements, and are invited to request on site ComSuper seminars. There is no cost associated with the seminars. It is desirable that requests be submitted by fax or e-mail as early as possible to enable planning and coordination of seminar requests.
Email requests should be directed to chris.lord@comsuper.gov.au or Chris Byrne.
Individual Member Requests
Individual Members who consider that there is a need for on-site presentations should raise the matter through their pay representative or corporate support area with a view to gaining approval from the commanding officer, and having the appropriate area liaise with ComSuper.
Individual Consultations
In conjunction with the Membership Seminar program, individual consultations are now offered to Members. Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning the Customer Service Centre on 1300 001 677 (select Option 6 when asked). When making an appointment, please tell the Customer Service Representative of your needs. Then, if you need a benefit estimate, it can be prepared prior to the appointment.
Scheduled Seminars
These seminars explain how benefits accrue, options available to Members during Membership, and the benefit options available on ceasing Membership of the respective schemes. Preservation restrictions are explained and Military Super Members' concerns, especially the compulsory preservation and CPI indexation of the employer component, are addressed. Members who intend attending a resettlement in the near future will find these presentations a valuable foundation to the ComSuper presentations at the resettlement seminar.
Taxation of Superannuation Pension and Lump Sum Benefits and Superannuation Surcharge Seminars
These seminars are intended for Members who are about to cease Membership and deal with taxation of DFRDB and MilitarySuper pension and lump sum benefits and rollover strategies. The second half of the seminar is intended for higher income earners who may be affected by the superannuation contributions surcharge tax, and explains how the surcharge operates, payment options and strategies.
DFRDB and MIlitarySuper Medical Discharge Seminars
These seminars are intended for those who expect to be discharged on medical grounds and deal with invalidity classification and processes in detail, and explain the level of scheme invalidity benefits according to classification, and the invalidity review processes.
Please direct telephone enquiries to the Customer Service Centre on 1300 001 677.
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