Contents

 

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Executive Summary

Recommendations

 

Chapter 1:         Introduction

Terms of Reference

Background to the Review

Conduct of the Review

Chapter 2:         Desirable characteristics of military superannuation in Australia today

Best practice superannuation

Recruitment and retention

Impact of the unique nature of military service

Chapter 3:         Assessment of current schemes

The DFRDB

The MSBS

Foreign military superannuation arrangements

Other Australian Government superannuation arrangements

Conclusion

Chapter 4:         A New Military Superannuation Scheme

Accumulation retirement plan

Death and disability element

Scheme membership

Transitional arrangements

Chapter 5:         The impact on the ADF and ADF members

Overall assessment of the proposed new scheme

Benefit levels and impact on ADF members

Impact on recruitment and retention

Other effects

Impact on Reservists

Flexibility for future adjustments

Chapter 6:         Governance arrangements

Legislation

A single military superannuation board

Board composition

Committees

Funding arrangements

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority

Chapter 7:         Implementation and transition

Implementation of the retirement accumulation plan

Implementation of the proposed death and disability arrangements

Possible early implementation of some recommendations

Ongoing administration

Transitional arrangements

Chapter 8:         Education & awareness

Transitional education and awareness campaign

Ongoing education and awareness of superannuation

Emphasising the total remuneration package for recruitment and retention purposes

Chapter 9:         Additional technical issues

Operation of Maximum Benefit Limits

Recognition of interdependent relationships

Indexation of military superannuation pensions

The operation of life expectancy factors

Transition to retirement provisions

Preservation and portability arrangements

Superannuation splitting

The calculation of final salary

Military superannuation scheme complexity

The impact of the Compulsory Retirement Age

The appropriateness of the three-tiered invalidity classification system

Suspension of benefits upon imprisonment

Ordinary Time Earnings

Chapter 10:       Financial implications

Employer contribution rates

Cash requirements and impact on unfunded liabilities

Transitional impact – accrued liabilities

Additional technical measures

Departmental expenses

 

Glossary and acronyms

Bibliography

Appendix A.      Support to the Review Team

Appendix B.      People and organisations consulted and submissions received

Appendix C.      Key issues raised in submissions

Appendix D.      Contemporary ADF attitudes to superannuation

Defence Attitude Surveys

ORIMA Research results

Focus Group results

Appendix E.      History and description of current schemes

The DFRDB

The MSBS

Appendix F.       International military scheme comparison

High level summary of Foreign National Military superannuation arrangements*

Appendix G.      Australian ‘Uniformed Bodies’ scheme comparison

High level summary of selected Australian ‘Uniformed Bodies’ superannuation schemes

Appendix H.      Financial implications

 

Attachment:      Letter from Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence