Member's Guide to ADF Pay and Conditions in Australia – see Disclaimer
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12.3 Defence
Force Retirement and Death Benefit Scheme
What is the Defence Force
Retirement and Death Benefit Scheme (DFRDB)?
DFRDB is the Defence Force
Retirement and Death Benefits superannuation scheme. This scheme was closed to
all new members on 1 October 1991.
What happens when you
resign?
If you leave the ADF without
being entitled to a retirement or invalidity pension, you are entitled to a
resignation benefit.
What happens when you
retire?
You will get a retirement
pension if you complete 20 years' service. You will also qualify if you do 15
years' service and reach the retiring age for your rank. Your pension is
indexed twice a year to the Consumer Price Index. That way it does not lose
value. You may take part of your pension as a lump sum but there are limits
that apply.
What happens if you retire
because you are injured?
You may be eligible to be
paid an income if you have to retire because of injury or illness. This income
will help you to resettle into the civilian workforce. Unlike retirement pay,
it may be reviewed. Depending on your circumstances at the time, it can be
increased or decreased. When you are fit for civilian work your benefits may
stop.
What happens if you die?
DFRDB pays your eligible
dependants a benefit if you die. If you do not have any dependants a benefit is
paid to your estate.
If you die when you are a
serving member or a pensioner, your dependants will get a benefit if they meet
the eligibility criteria.
General
The qualification and skill component
of these allowances will count as salary for superannuation purposes.
·
Submarine service allowance.
·
Special action forces allowance.
·
Specialist operations allowance.
·
Flying and flight duties allowance.
'Choice of superannuation
fund' allows the general community to choose the fund where they want their
money to go. As an ADF member you are not able to choose your fund.
What if I want to pay
extra?
You can pay more money into
your superannuation (see 12.5,
Ancillary contributions).
What should I do if I am
going to re-enter the ADF?
You should complete a DM100
form. It can be found on the DFRDB website. It should be sent to ComSuper before commencing duty.
How do you get an estimate
of your superannuation?
ComSuper member services on-line has a range of services to
help you manage your superannuation. You can view and print your member
statement. It has an i-Estimator that allows you to
see what your superannuation entitlement may be in the future. It is at http://www.dfrdb.gov.au under
the 'Member Services Online' section.
More information
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Phone: |
ComSuper 1300 001 677 |
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Email: |
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Internet: |
Applicable to Reservists: Yes, but only if you meet all these conditions.
·
You are getting a DFRDB pension or you have a preserved
benefit.
·
You start a period of continuous full-time service of 12
months or more.
·
You elect to remain a member of the DFRDB Scheme.
Your DFRDB pension will not
be paid if you are on a period of continuous full-time service for more than 12
months. When you stop this full-time service it will start again, and your
pension or benefit will be recalculated.