Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I change my address details?
- How do I change my taxation details?
- How do I change my bank account details?
- How do I get an estimate of my superannuation benefit?
- Can I roll money out of the DFRDB?
- Can I continue to contribute to the DFRDB following discharge from the military?
- Can I transfer superannuation from an earlier employer (or superannuation fund) into MilitarySuper?
- What happens to my super if I die?
- A family member has died. What should I be doing about his/her superannuation?
- I'm being medically discharged. What happens to my super?
- How do I apply for my super on invalidity retirement?
- How long does payment take?
- What's the difference between entitlements under repatriation (DVA), compensation and the DFRDB?
- I need to get a statement of earnings. How do I go about this?
- Can I contribute to the DFRDB if I am on leave without pay?
- Questions about recognised environmental allowance
- What happens with a DFRDB re-entered recipient with an engagement for less than twelve months?
- What happens with a DFRDB re-entered recipient with 12 months or more engagement?
How do I change my address details?
If you are a contributor
ComSuper does not record address details of service members. You will need to advise your pay centre or update the PM Keys database.
If you are a deferred benefit member or retired member
You can phone the Customer Service Centre on 1300 001 677 to advise your change of address. You will be asked to provide:
- your reference number
- name
- date of birth
- old address
- new address
You can also fill in the Change of Address form (PDF 73K) and return it to ComSuper.
Power of Attorney
It is possible to change a member's account details if you have their Power of Attorney. The Power of Attorney must previously have been registered, in writing, with ComSuper.
How do I change my taxation details?
Within the limits of relevant taxation legislation, you have the option to change the amount of tax being deducted. The change will usually take effect from the next pension payment day (depending on when the change is made).
There are a number of options regarding the tax free threshold and additional tax. These options are detailed in the Taxation of Benefits (PDF 326KB) leaflet or Taxation Concessions (PDF 326KB) leaflet.
To change your taxation details you must complete a Tax File Number Declaration which is available from the Australian Tax Office. This should then be forwarded to:
ComSuper
PO Box 22
Belconnen ACT 2616.
If you have further taxation queries information is available from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) web site or by calling the ATO on 13 28 61.
How do I change my bank account details?
You can change your account details by phoning the Customer Service Centre on 1300 001 677 or in writing to:
DFRDB,
PO Box 22,
Belconnen, ACT 2616
The following information will be required:
- your name
- your member's reference number
- your date of birth
- your address
- your account number
- your financial institution's 6 digit BSB number
- previous account number
- previous BDB number
- account name (must be an Australian bank account bearing your name)
The pay day that the change will take effect depends on when you called. It is advisable to keep your old account open until a payment is made to your new account. If the pay is rejected from a closed account it will be reissued to the new account (usually after 3 working days).
How do I get an estimate of my superannuation benefit?
Retirement
An estimate of your benefit can be obtained from the Customer Service Centre by phoning 1300 001 677. Estimates (except re-entered members, deferred members and members who have their benefits split due to family law proceedings) may also be obtained online from the DFRDB i-Estimator.
Information you need to get an estimate from the Contact Centre.
- Service Number
- Service
- Full name
- Date of Birth
- Current Rank
- How much eligible service you have
- Proposed date of retirement
- Your return address
You can also request an estimate by email
Email request for a Retirement Estimate
Information you need to get an estimate from the i-Estimator
To access thei-Estimator you will need to specify the Service you are employed by, provide your service number and your access number. If you do not have an access number, refer to the Access Number Request form (PDF 73K). If you have lost or misplaced your access number you should complete another Access Number Request Form to have an access number reissued.
Alternatively please ring the DFRDB Customer Service Centre on 1300 001 677 and a Customer Service Representative will provide you with an Access Number over the telephone.
If you intend leaving the services within the next twelve months it is recommended that you call the Customer Service Centre on 1300 001 677 and ask for a written estimate of your DFRDB benefits.
Forms
More Information
- About to leave the ADF? (PDF 734KB)
- Retirement Fact Sheet (PDF 239KB)
- Retirement Benefits Leaflet (PDF 239KB)
- Superannuation Contributions Surcharge Fact Sheet (PDF 326KB)
- Superannuation Contributions Surcharge Leaflet (PDF 607KB)
- Taxation of Benefits (PDF 326KB)
- Taxation Concessions (PDF 500KB)
Invalidity
An estimate of your benefit can be obtained from the Customer Service Centre by phoning 1300 001 677. Estimates (except re-entered members, deferred members and members who have their benefits split due to family law proceedings) may also be obtained online from the DFRDB i-Estimator.
Information you need to get an estimate from the Contact Centre
- Service Number
- Service
- Full name
- Date of Birth
- Current Rank
- How much eligible service you have
- Proposed date of discharge
- Your return address
You can also request an estimate by email
Email request for an Invalidity Estimate
Information you need to get an estimate from the i-Estimator
To access thei-Estimator you will need to specify the Service you are employed by, provide your service number and your access number. If you do not have an access number, refer to the Access Number Request form (PDF 187K). If you have lost or misplaced your access number you should complete another Access Number Request Form to have an access number reissued.
Alternatively please ring the DFRDB Customer Service Centre on 1300 001 677 and a Customer Service Representative will provide you with an Access Number over the telephone.
If you intend leaving the services within the next twelve months it is recommended that you call the Customer Service Centre on 1300 001 677 and ask for a written estimate of your DFRDB benefits.
Forms
More Information
- Invalidity Benefits Fact Sheet (PDF 227KB)
- Invalidty Benefits Leaflet (PDF 666KB)
- Taxation of Benefits(PDF 326KB)
Resignation
An estimate of your benefit can be obtained from the Customer Service Centre on 1300 001 677. Estimates (except re-entered members, deferred members and members who have their benefits split due to family law proceedings) may also be obtained online from the DFRDB i-Estimator.
If you intend leaving the ADF within the next twelve months it is recommended that you call the Customer Service Centre on 1300 001 677 and ask for a written estimate of your DFRDB benefits. If you are more than twelve months from discharge you should use the i-Estimator.
Information you need to get an estimate from the Customer Service Centre
- Service Number
- Service
- Full name
- Date of Birth
- Current Rank
- How much eligible service you have
- Proposed date of resignation
- Your return address
You can also request an estimate by email
Email Request for a Resignation Estimate
Information you need to get an estimate from the i-Estimator
To access the i-Estimator you will need to specify the Service you are employed by, provide your service number and your access number. If you do not have an access number, refer to the Access Number Request form (PDF 83KB). If you have lost or misplaced your access number you should complete another Access Number Request Form to have an access number reissued.
Alternatively please ring the DFRDB Customer Service Centre on 1300 001 677 and a Customer Service Representative will provide you with an Access Number over the telephone.
Forms
More Information
- About to leave the ADF? (PDF 734KB)
- Resignation Fact Sheet (PDF 239KB)
- Preservation Fact Sheet (PDF 230KB)
- Taxation of Benefits (PDF 326KB)
Can I roll money out of the DFRDB?
To be able to roll funds out of the DFRDB you must be leaving the full time Defence Force. When you leave the Defence Force you will receive a productivity component that must be rolled over to a fund of your choice until you retire from the workforce and reach your preservation age.
A Customer Service Representative will be able to provide and estimate of the amount to be rolled over. Estimates may also be obtained online from the DFRDB i-Estimator. Benefit claim forms can be downloaded from the Forms page.
Can i continue to contribute f to the DFRDB following discharge from the military?
No. The DFRDB is heavily subsidised by the Department of Defence and if you are no longer a serving member, you cannot continue contributing.
Can I transfer superannuation from an earlier employer (or superannuation fund) into MilitarySuper?
Yes. To be able to transfer amounts, you must be a current contributing DFRDB member. You cannot transfer amounts if you are a DFRDB deferred benefit member or pensioner.
Income tax of 15% will be deducted from any untaxed portion of any amount you transfer and the balance will be paid into the Military and Superannuation Benefits (MSB) Fund as the DFRDB scheme does not have a fund. When you transfer an amount, you continue to be a DFRDB member and also become a beneficiary of the MilitarySuper scheme with an ancillary benefit.
You cannot transfer a DFRDB benefit into the MSB Fund as the DFRDB scheme is not a regulated superannuation fund.
In the MSBS, you have a choice of five investment strategies. You could invest in one or a combination of these strategies. Initially, the transfer amount would be invested in the ‘Default' strategy which is the Growth strategy.
You may elect to change this investment strategy at any time by completing the form ‘Member Investment Choice' (MIC1) form. If you exercise the option to participate in member investment choice, you sell part or all of your Growth units (at the prevailing daily unit price) and purchase units in the investment strategy of choice (at the prevailing daily unit price for units in that option).
When you receive a benefit from the MSB Fund, you will be effectively ‘cashing in' or redeeming your units at the unit price applicable on the later of:
- the day after exit; or
- the day on which your completed application is received by MilitarySuper, though the unit price will not be known until the following day.
The benefit is only payable as a lump sum, not as a pension.
In order to arrange a transfer amount you will need to contact your other superannuation provider(s) and complete their paperwork asking for the benefit to transferred to the MSBS. The cheque must be made payable the MSB Fund.
We will also require you to complete an Application to Pay in a Transfer Amount (MAC02) (PDF 262KB) form and send it to the rollover fund.
What happens to my super if i die?
If there is a surviving spouse or children
If there is a surviving spouse or children they may be eligible for part of the deceased's pension or any unclaimed part of an accumulated benefit. Please refer to the relevant application forms below.
Completion of the Application for Spouse, Child/Student or Student Pension will need to be accompanied by:
- marriage or registered relationship certificate
- death certificate
- tax file number of claimant
- new bank account details
- certified documentation confirming the identify of the claimant/s
- other information as requested by the delegate
An estimate of any benefits payable will not be provided until eligibility has been determined
Forms
More Information
If there is no surviving spouse or children
If there is no surviving spouse or children, the benefit would normally be paid to the Member's estate.
Forms
More Information
A family member has died. What should I be doing about his/hers super?
You should notify us of the death of a member by phoning the Customer Service Centre on 1300 001 677 or in writing to:
DFRDB
PO Box 22
Belconnen, ACT 2616
The following information will be required:
- the name of the deceased
- their reference number
- the date of death
- the contact details of the executor of the estate
- your relationship with the deceased
- details of any possible dependants, including spouse and children
Surviving spouse or children
If there is a surviving spouse or children they may be eligible for part of the deceased's pension or any unclaimed part of an accumulated benefit.
Completion of the Spouse's Benefit Claim form will need to be accompanied by:
- marriage certificate
- death certificate
- tax file number of claimant
- new bank account details
- other information as requested by the Delegate
An estimate of any benefits payable will not be provided until eligibility has been determined.
Forms
More Information
I'm being medically discharged. What happens to my super?
What's the procedure?
If you are retired from the ADF on the grounds of invalidity, you may be eligible to receive a DFRDB invalidity benefit.
Your discharge section will provide you with the necessary forms and help you arrange a final medical assessment prior to your discharge. Once ComSuper has received a DM42 and D40. A delegate of the DFRDB Authority will assess your case and, if it considers you to be eligible, it will grant you a benefit in one of three categories based on the percentage of incapacity you have suffered for civil employment. This assessment takes into account your condition and your formal qualifications, experience and skills, for civil employment.
- Class A invalidity = incapacity of 60% or more
- Class B invalidity = incapacity of 30% to 59%
- Class C invalidity = incapacity of 30% or less
More Information
How do I apply for my super on invalidity retirement?
If you are retired from the ADF on the grounds of invalidity, you may be eligible to receive a DFRDB invalidity benefit.
You need to complete an Application for Invalidity Benefits & Superannuation Productivity (PDF 332KB) (DM42) form and arrange a Service Medical Board. This should be done through your discharge area.
Once you have been assessed the form must be completed and forwarded to us as soon as possible prior to your date of discharge, accompanied with a D40 – Application for Invalidity Benefits.
Once your final medical board has been completed and ComSuper has received all the relevant documentation, your invalidity classification rating will be determined by a Delegate of the DFRDB Authority and you will be notified in the mail
Invalidity Classification Process
Each member is allocated to a or case officer within ComSuper, who can advise you in general as to the process. If you phone ComSuper in regards to the progress of your case, you will be notified of your case officer who will also provide you with their contact details.
After receipt of the relevant medical documentation, your case will be referred for a paper based assessment to a specialist in the field of your impairment. The case officer then prepares the matter for a delegate of the DFRDB Authority to make a decision on your invalidity classification.
It is important to note that an invalidity classification decision cannot be made more than 10 days prior to the date of your discharge.
Forms
More Information
How long does payment take ?
If ComSuper determines a classification before discharge where you will be entitled to a pension benefit you should receive payment into your nominated bank account within 10-15 working days after the date of discharge. Please Note that payment is made based on the classification that has been decided.
What's the difference between entitlements under repatriation (DVA), compensation & the DFRDB?
It is not appropriate to compare the DFRDB legislation to either Veterans Affairs' or Military Compensation legislation. The three pieces of legislation are designed to meet quite different objectives.
The DFRDB scheme is designed to provide invalidity benefits based on the extent to which your medical condition that resulted in your retirement from the Defence Force has incapacitated you for civilian employment. This assessment is made irrespective of where or when an injury has incurred. That is, it does not have to be in the line of duty or in a war zone.
The Veterans Affairs and Military Compensation schemes on the other hand are more designed to compensate a Member who has suffered an injury or a condition in the course of their employment. In assessing entitlements under this legislation, quite different criteria to that used by DFRDB are taken into account.
Because the three pieces of legislation are so different and because they use different criteria to assess entitlement to benefits, there can be no guarantee that an assessment made under one scheme will automatically give rise to an entitlement under another scheme. It is therefore not practical to compare assessments provided under the DFRDB legislation with those that may be provided under legislation administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Unit.
More Information
I need to get a statement of earnings. how do I go about doing this?
If you require proof of income and need to have a Statement of Earnings you should phone the Customer Service Centre on 1300 001 877.
You will need to provide:
- Your name
- Your date of birth
- Your reference number
This information can be supplied over the phone, by email or in writing. If you require the information urgently this may be sent by fax.
Can I contribute to the DFRDB if I am on leave without pay?
There is no provision within the DFRDB legislation to allow for you to pay contributions during a period of leave without pay that exceeds 21 consecutive days.
Questions about recognised environmental allowance
What is a Recognised Environmental Allowance?
The qualification and skill elements of Flying Allowance, Submarine Service Allowance, Specialist Operations Allowance and Special Action Forces Allowance are recognised for superannuation purposes.
This means that:
- whilst you are in receipt of such an allowance it will be included in the calculation of salary for DFRDB purposes; and
- you will be required to pay contributions to DFRDB on the basis of a salary that includes that allowance.
How and when did these allowances become part of superannuation salary?
Following the outcomes of the ADF Review of Remuneration (Aug 2001 ), a paper prepared by Major General Barry Nunn (ret) (The Nunn Review ), on 1 March 2004 the Government agreed that the specified Qualification and Skill elements of Flying, Submarine Service, Specialist Operations and Special Action Forces Allowances would be included in the salary for superannuation. The Government's proposal was agreed to by the scheme Trustees. The date of effect was 13 August 2004.
Will all of my allowance that I receive for Qualifications and Skills be included in my salary for superannuation?
Yes, it will be. The allowances covered by the new arrangements are:
- Submarine Service Allowance
- Qualified submariner
- Special Action Forces Allowances
- Special Action Forces Allowance – Trainee rate
- Qualified Member
- Member of 152 Sig Sqn
- Specialist Operations Allowance
- Trainee 2 nd TAG member
- Qualified 2 nd tag member
- Qualified Commando
- Member of 126 Sig Sqn
- Clearance Diver Qualified
- Clearance Diver Advanced
- Incident Response Regiment trained
- Incident Response Regiment trained (addit spec)
- Flying allowance
- Amount is dependent on rank and number of years.
NOTE: Some of these allowances are paid at different rates depending upon rank and number of years completed.
I discharged prior to 13 August 2004. Will my pension be adjusted to provide the benefit for the Q&S allowance that I was paid when I was serving?
No. Your superannuation benefits were calculated on your final salary at the time of discharge. The Q&S elements were not included as part of that calculation, because the rules of the superannuation schemes did not allow them to be. The rule changes occurred on 13 August and do not apply if you were no longer a member on that day.
How much will I get? How will my benefit be calculated?
Each member's situation will be different. Factors such as age, rank, contributory service, previous eligible service, the allowances received and the superannuation options selected on retirement are some of the variables that will impact on the final lump sum or pension amount.
See the section How can I get an estimate of my superannuation benefit?
How much is the minimum employee contribution?
The superannuation contribution rate for all DFRDB members is 5.5% of your salary for superannuation. This includes the Q&S component of any superannuable allowances you may receive).
You can then calculate the approximate fortnightly deduction by multiplying your annual salary for superannuation by 5.5%, multiplying that by 14 and then dividing by 365.
Will all of my Q&S components count for superannuation purposes?
Yes. All of the Q&S component that you are receiving will count for superannuation purposes. Some Q&S allowances are paid at different rates depending on rank and years of completed service.
For example : Submarine Service Allowance has one rate which is applicable to all qualified submariners, but Specialist Operations Allowance has 11 rates, depending on your trade and status.
The current rates available from your pay unit, or from the Department of Defence website.. The full rate that you are receiving will count towards the calculation of your superannuation benefit.
| Position | Rate per annum |
|---|---|
| Qualified submariner | $8, 314 |
| Position | Rate per annum |
|---|---|
| Trainee rate | $9, 853 |
| Qualified member | $17, 388 |
| Member of 152 Sig Sqn | $1, 6738 |
| Position | Rate per annum |
|---|---|
| Trainee 2nd TAG member | $6, 954 |
| Qualified 2nd TAG member | $9, 853 |
| Qualified Commando | $3, 478 |
| Member of 126 Sig Sqn | $1, 738 |
| Clearance Diver Qualified | $4, 057 |
| Clearance Diver Advanced | $6, 491 |
| Incident Response Regiment trained. | $1, 738 |
| Incident Response Regiment trained (addit spec) | $2, 897 |
| Unpredictable Explosives – Render safe continuous roster | $11, 012 |
| Unpredictable Explosives – cyclic roster | $5, 796 |
| Unpredictable Explosives – search roster | $2, 897 |
| Position | Officers rates per annum | Rate per annum |
|---|---|---|
| Brigadier (E) | $20, 131 | |
| Flying Allowance completed less than 2 years flying experience | $3, 070 | $1, 704 |
| Flying Allowance – completed 2 but less than 4 years | $5, 116 | $3, 753 |
| Flying Allowance – completed 4 but less than 6 years | $9, 213 | $5, 116 |
| Flying Allowance – completed 6 but less than 8 years | $17, 400 | $6, 483 |
| Flying Allowance – completed 8 but less than 10 years | $25, 587 | $7, 847 |
| Flying Allowance – completed 10 or more years | $28, 320 | $7, 847 |
Why doesn’t the disability element of my allowance count towards my superannuation?
This is a policy decision over which neither the DFRDB Authority nor ComSuper has any control. The difference between the disability allowance and the Q&S allowance is that the Q&S allowance
- often makes up a substantial part of a member's income – often for a long period of their career;
- qualifications and skills are considered by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission as contributing to the work value of an individual and subsequently as a relevant factor for determining salary and hence superannuation.
On the other hand, the disability element of the major salary-related allowances is payable when the hardship is being suffered and ceases when it is not. It is therefore primarily a compensatory payment.
I am currently in receipt of an allowance, which does not have a Q&S component. Does the allowance count towards my superannuation? Is it likely to do so in the future?
Currently, there are 16 salary-related allowances, only four of which contain a Q&S component - Flying Allowance, Submarine Service Allowance, Specialist Operations Allowance and Special Action Forces Allowance. The other 12 allowances are:
- Adventurous Training Instructor Allowance
- Arduous Conditions Allowance
- Diving Allowance
- Field Allowance
- Flight Duties Allowance
- Hard Lying Allowance
- Language Proficiency Allowance
- Navy – Med Grade 4 – Allowance
- Paratrooper Allowance
- Seagoing Allowance
- Boarding Party Allowance
- Submarine Escape Allowance
These disability allowances recognise additional hardship, discomfort or the like associated with specific working environments such as serving at sea or in the field. These allowances were not included in the governments' decision and there is no indication that these allowances will be recognised for superannuation purposes in the future.
I am in receipt of an s. 58B retention allowance/completion-retention bonus. Why doesn’t this allowance/bonus count towards my superannuation?
Retention allowances (such as those paid to Air Traffic Controllers or Aerospace Engineers) and Retention Bonuses (such as those paid to Air Force Logistics Officers) are not paid for qualification and skill: they are paid purely on the basis of attraction and retention. As such, they do not meet the criterion of counting towards superannuation.
What happens with a DFRDB re-entered recipient with an engagement for less than twelve months?
If you are returning to the Reserve Forces for less than 12 months, you must elect before re-entry whether or not you want to join MilitarySuper. (Former MilitarySuper recipients or preserved benefit re-entrants don't get to make an election - you automatically join MilitarySuper.
You make your election on the D100 form. The D100 form has replaced the old DM100 form.
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 death or 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). Failure to make an election before any re-entry will result in automatic and irreversible MilitarySuper membership.
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.
What happens with a DFRDB re-entered recipient with 12 months or more engagement?
You must elect before re-entry whether you want to join MilitarySuper or re-join the DFRDB Scheme. You make your election on the D100 form. The D100 form has replaced the old DM100 form
Contributions are due for the scheme you choose, and your retirement pay is not paid during the period of service. If you elect to re-join the DFRDB after discharge your retirement pay will be recalculated and recommence. You may also be entitled to a further commutation lump sum.
Note: If you choose the DFRDB scheme, your election continues to apply to all subsequent re-entries to the ADF of the same nature (ie 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 still complete Part D of the D100 form and lodge the form with ComSuper before your service begins.
If you join MilitarySuper, you must contribute to MilitarySuper and your DFRDB retirement pay will be suspended during your engagement. Your election to join MilitarySuper is binding for any future periods of service, regardless of the length
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.
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