Re-entry into the defence Force
If you are planning to return to the Australian Defence Force on Continuous Full Time Service (CFTS) for any length of time, and do not make a valid election before your first day of service back in the Defence Force you will automatically become a member of the MilitarySuper scheme. This change is final and irreversible and you will be unable to ever return to the DFRDB Scheme as a contributor.
If you are currently receiving a DFRDB pension you must elect whether to contribute to DFRDB or MilitarySuper.
It is your responsibility to ensure that an election is made and lodged with ComSuper in time.
Scheme election depends on the nature and length of a re-engagement, either;
Reserve Forces in CFTS for less than 12 months
If you make a valid election to rejoin the DFRDB Scheme:
- you continue to receive your DFRDB pension
- you will not make contributions to DFRDB
- a productivity benefit will accrue at 9% for the period of service.
Reserve Forces in CFTS for 12 months or more or the Permanent Forces for any full-time service
If you make a valid election to rejoin the DFRDB Scheme:
- your DFRDB pension will be CANCELLED
- you will make contributions to DFRDB
- your DFRDB pension will resume after your service ends. It will be recalculated based on your updated total years of service.
In either of the above situations
If you elect to join MilitarySuper, or you fail to make a valid election before your first day of service:
- your DFRDB pension will be SUSPENDED
- you will make contributions to MilitarySuper
- your DFRDB pension will resume, adjusted for CPI, when your period of service ends.
Extensions of engagements
You do not have to make another election if you extend or continue your period of Defence Force service without a break. An exception to this applies for Members who are serving in the Reserves for less than 12 months, don’t have a break in CFTS, and then change to either:
- the Permanent Forces
or - CFTS for 12 months or more in the Reserves.
If this applies, you must make another scheme election before the first day of the extension or continuation of your current engagement. If you do not make an election within this time, you will automatically and irrevocably become a member of MilitarySuper.
For Further Information
Please read the Re-Entering the ADF fact sheet (DF09B). To make a scheme election you must fill out a D100 form. Both of these are available from this website.