Dictionary

An employer who has registered with AustralianSuper to make superannuation contributions on behalf of their employees.

An investment management style where the manager seeks to achieve performance equal to the market or index returns. No judgements are made about future market movements, unlike active investment management.

A taxation system for wage and salary earners under which income-tax is deducted in instalments from periodic payments such as salary, wages or pensions.

Tax an employer withholds based on the wage or salary of the employee.

A regular periodic payment, either by the Government (social security) or as a superannuation benefit.

Contributions made by you to your super account from your after-tax take-home pay.

If you are self-employed or have a rollover amount to invest, you can join AustralianSuper’s Personal Plan. It is open to almost anyone who doesn't have a contributing employer.

Portability rules allow you to transfer your super from one fund to another.

An investor's range of investment holdings, usually with reference to the mix of different asset classes or if in a single asset class, the mix of different sectors and stocks.

The portfolio administration fee (PAF) is charged to access the AustralianSuper Member Direct online platform, which includes 20-minute delayed ASX pricing, live stock quotes and Thomson Reuters news, company and market data.

The portion of your benefit that relates to employment service after 30 June 1983 and forms part of the taxable component if you take a superannuation benefit before age 60.

The portion of your benefit that relates to employment service before July 1983. This portion is tax-free.

The monthly value of income received by an insured member from all their regular occupations averaged over the 12-months immediately prior to becoming disabled.

Shares which rank before ordinary shares in the event of liquidation of the issuing company, and which usually receive a fixed rate of return on the unfranked investment.

The sum of money paid periodically to purchase and maintain insurance cover in the Fund.

AustralianSuper’s PreMixed investment options are made up of a mixture of asset classes, with different levels of potential return and different levels of risk.

The legal requirement that certain superannuation benefits must be held in a superannuation or rollover fund until the member retires after reaching their preservation age. Only in very limited circumstances, including total and permanent disablement and severe financial hardship, can preserved amounts be released before the member reaches this age. All superannuation contributions made after 30 June 1999, including personal and investment earnings are considered preserved.

The minimum age at which you can access your super, provided you have permanently retired from the workforce. The preservation age is gradually increasing from 55 years. For those born before 1 July 1960, the preservation age is 55, increasing on a sliding scale to a maximum of 60 for those born after 30 June 1964

All contributions made on your behalf into your super account, on or after 1 July 1999, are called preserved benefits. Generally, you can’t access this money from your super fund until you retire permanently from the workforce on or after preservation age, which is 55 for those born before 1 July 1960.

Money held in your super account that you can’t access until you retire permanently from the workforce on or after preservation age, which is 55 for those born before 1 July 1960.

A share’s market price divided by its current or estimated future earnings per share. The higher or lower the ratio relative to the average of the sharemarket, the higher or lower the expected profit.

Investment in an unlisted company or enterprise.

An information booklet that you receive when you join a fund, which sets out the key features of that fund.

The amount earned upon selling an asset that has increased in value beyond the original purchase price.

Usually refers to real estate, including land and buildings that can be bought, sold or leased.

A fund that invests in residential or commercial properties. Shares in listed property trusts can be bought and sold on the stock market.

A written authorisation that a shareholder gives to someone else to vote at a shareholders' meeting.

A super fund that anyone can join. AustralianSuper is a public offer fund.