Who gets your super if you pass away? | An AustralianSuper Editorial

Super usually isn’t covered by your will. That’s why it’s important to have a beneficiary nominated, which is the person who gets it if you pass away.

Who can you choose?
A beneficiary must be someone who’s a dependant or your legal representative. This can include:

• a husband, wife or partner (including de-facto or same-sex)
• children, including step and adopted children
• someone financially dependent and lives with you in a close relationship.

Your nomination options

There are a few options when making a nomination:

Binding nomination

• Lapsing binding nomination – lasts 3 years, if not renewed.
• Non-lapsing binding nomination – never expires, unless changed or cancelled.

A binding nomination means the super fund must pay your money to the people(s) chosen, as long as the nomination is valid.

Non-binding nomination
A preferred beneficiary is nominated, but this isn’t legally binding. The super fund will follow the law to decide who receives the super benefit.

Reversionary nomination (for retirement accounts)
An eligible person nominated can receive regular payments from an account-based super pension.

Do you know who you’ve nominated?
Ways to check who’s nominated are by logging in to your super account online or app, contacting your fund or looking at the latest super statement.

Read about nominating a beneficiary