How we can support you

• Continuing to service our members

  To assist the Government’s efforts in slowing the spread of the virus, we are making some temporary changes to the way we operate.

  While we are limiting the number of employees at our offices and preparing for all of our staff to work from home, we remain accessible via email and phone to ensure we minimise disruption to our services.

  Additionally, we are no longer accepting visitors at any of our offices. Members who wish to submit any forms can email the signed document to fundoffice@catholicsuper.com.au or can post them to PO Box 656, Burwood NSW 1805. 

  We remain committed to delivering a high standard of service and have equipped our call centre team with additional resources to support you.

  We appreciate that our members may will need to adapt to these changes and we ask for your patience and understanding as we respond to an increased volume of enquiries.

• Temporary early access to your super

  Following the Government’s announcement on 22 March 2020, eligible members will be able to temporarily apply for early release of their superannuation on compassionate grounds.

  From mid-April 2020, you can apply to access up to $10,000 of your super before 1 July 2020 if you meet the eligibility requirements. You will also be able to apply to access up to a further $10,000 from 1 July 2020 for approximately three months.
  
  Members accessing their super will not need to pay tax on the amounts released and the money they withdraw will not affect Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs payments.
  
  To apply for early release, you must satisfy any one or more of the following requirements:

  - you are unemployed; or

  - you are eligible to receive a job seeker payment, youth allowance for jobseekers, parenting payment (which includes the single and partnered payments), special benefit or farm household allowance; or

  - on or after 1 January 2020:

  • - you were made redundant; or
    - your working hours were reduced by 20 per cent or more; or
    - if you are a sole trader - your business was suspended or there was a reduction in your turnover of 20 per cent or more.

  To apply, please do so directly to the ATO via www.my.gov.au

  After the ATO has processed your application, they will issue a determination to you and the Fund.

  Once you receive the determination from the ATO, please call us to discuss your withdrawal so we can assist you with the next steps.
  

  For more information, please click here.

• JobKeeper Payment

  The Government has announced a $130 billion payment to help keep Australians in jobs and support businesses affected by the economic impact cause by COVID-19.

  Under the latest Government package, employees will receive a flat payment of $1,500 (before tax) per fortnight through their employer.

  Both employers and employees will need to meet some eligibility criteria before employees can receive the payment. Please visit the Government’s JobKeeper Payment website for more information.

• Changes to pension drawdown requirements

  The Government is temporarily reducing superannuation minimum drawdown requirements for account-based pensions such as RetireSmart, RetireChoice and transition to retirement by 50 per cent for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 financial years. This is intended to assist retirees by reducing the need to sell their investments to fund minimum drawdown requirements.

  The Government is also reducing both the upper and lower social security deeming rates to benefit recipients of the Government’s age pension. As of 1 May 2020, the upper deeming rate will be 2.25 per cent and the lower deeming rate will be 0.25 per cent.

  Please read the Government’s Providing Support for Retirees factsheet to find out more about these changes.

   
• Insurance cover

  If you wish to make a new insurance claim, please call us and we will provide you with the claim requirements.

  Existing claims will continue to be assessed by our insurer. Should you have any questions regarding your claim, please get in touch.

• Easy access to your super account

  Rather than wait on the phone, you can access the following services when you log in to your account via the Member Portal:

  - Check your balances
  - Consolidate accounts
  - Make withdrawals
  - Check your insurance
  - View your Investment Earnings
  - Set up additional contributions
  - Review your investment strategies
  - Change your communication preferences

  If you have not already registered for online access, complete the registration form here

  You may also find an answer to your question on our FAQs page.

• Investment markets

  We understand that there has been concern around the current market situation, and understand that members are facing a range of challenges at the moment.

  We recommend speaking to a financial adviser if you have concerns or questions at this time. If you wish to speak to one of our financial advisers, we can arrange for an appointment.

  
  
• Financial planning
  If you need financial planning advice, contact our financial planning team. One of our planners will arrange for a chat via phone or Skype (video chat).
• Seminars

  To ensure we adhere to the Government’s social distancing measures, we have cancelled all seminars and events until at least the end of July 2020. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates when we resume the sessions.

  We apologise for any inconvenience this decision may have caused.

  Even though we’ve suspended our in-person seminars, there are other ways to learn more about managing your super and retirement.
  
  

• Workplace visits

  To ensure we adhere to the Government’s social distancing measures, we have temporarily stopped visiting workplaces. We are able to still communicate with you by phone, Skype or video conferencing.

  Contact one of our Regional Managers to arrange a meeting.

• Beware of scams

  When speaking to you regarding your super or personal details, we will ask you a couple of security questions as part of our verification process.

  If you receive unsolicited contact asking you for your details or your super, please do not share the information as they are likely to be a scammer.

  If you believe you have shared any personal information with a scammer, please call or email us.