What is an account based pension?
An account based pension (or pension fund) is another option to withdrawing super as a lump sum, when you retire or reach preservation age.
By transferring money from your super to an account based pension like our Choice Income account, you can draw regular income payments tax-free, while your balance stays invested. This gives you the potential for more investment returns throughout your retirement.
You choose how much income you want to receive and how often. And your money isn’t locked away.
You can withdraw extra money to pay for bills, holidays and other big ticket items whenever you need it.
Your benefits include:
- turning your super into a regular income
- keeping your savings working for you – money in your account stays invested
- saving on tax – tax-free investment earnings and tax-free income payments (from 60)
- having flexibility and control – you can access extra money whenever you need it
- topping up your Government Age Pension if you receive it
Why choose Choice Income account?
Our account based pension – Choice Income – is award-winning* with a history of strong long-term performance. With our low fees and members first approach, we can help you achieve your best possible retirement.
- Low fees, more money – we don’t pay commissions to advisers and profits go to members, not shareholders
- Strong long-term returns – 10.90% pa average annual 10 year rate of return for the Balanced option+
- Flexible payment options – you choose how much and how often you receive payments
- Range of investment options so you’re in control – Smart Default, PreMixed, DIY Mix and Member Direct
- Easy to manage payment and investment options via phone, your online account and mobile app
- Advice options to support you throughout retirement, including email, phone, face to face meetings and seminars
- Top up for your Government Age Pension (if you’re eligible)
* Awarded the 2019 Canstar Outstanding value for account based pension
+Returns as at 30 June 2019. Investment returns aren’t guaranteed. Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future returns
compare usImportant things to know about Choice Income
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Reduced minimum limits for super drawdown
COVID-19 Government measures – Temporarily reduced minimum drawdown amounts
From 25 March 2020, the Government has temporarily reduced the minimum drawdown requirements by 50%* for account based pensions for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years.
These changes are part of the Government’s response to the impacts of COVID-19 on investment markets. Reduced minimum amounts provide you with the option to manage your income payments differently during the current economic environment.
For details on this Government change, visit the ATO webpage Minimum annual payments for super income streams.
What does this mean for new Choice Income members?
This new minimum amount applies by default to new Choice Income members who join from 25 March 2020.
To find out what the new minimum drawdown amounts are, visit australiansuper.com/CoronavirusReducedDrawdowns
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Before you open Choice Income
You’ll need a minimum balance of $50,000 to deposit into your new Choice Income account, and it’s important to note you can’t add money to a Choice Income account once you’ve opened it.
It’s a good idea to make sure you have all your money in one place before you start. We can help you consolidate your super before opening an account based pension.
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Keep a little in super to keep your insurance
You’re not able to have insurance on a Choice Income account, so if you want to keep your insurance you may want to keep a balance of $10,000 in your super account. -
$1.6 million cap
There is a lifetime cap of $1.6 million for each individual that can be transferred from super accounts to account based pensions.
The cap:
- includes the total amount transferred from any superannuation account to any of your account based pensions
- is managed by the Australian Taxation Office, so it includes money across any super fund, including defined benefit schemes.
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When you can get started
When you reach your preservation age and have permanently retired, you can open your Choice Income account. You are also eligible to open an account if you change jobs on or after turning 60 or if you’ve turned 65 (even if you’re still working).
Date of birth Preservation age (years) Before 1 July 1960 55 1 July 1960 – 30 June 1961 56 1 July 1961 – 30 June 1962 57 1 July 1962 – 30 June 1963 58 1 July 1963 – 30 June 1964 59 1 July 1964 or after 60
For more on eligibility please refer to the Choice Income Product Disclosure Statement.
Choice Income Product Disclosure Statement - pdf, 3.9MB
For people retiring and needing to draw an income from their savings in a tax-effective environment
Set up your account in a way that suits you
Your Choice Income account is flexible, so you can change your payment and investment options at any time.
When you join you can use the Smart Default option, or choose your own investment and payment options.
Choosing the Smart Default option
With Smart Default your payments and investment options are pre-selected, modelled and managed by investment experts. This means you’re:
- invested in 12% Cash and 88% Balanced investment option,
- initially receiving at least 6% of your balance each year; and as you get older this minimum amount will change (see table below),
- paid every two weeks, and
- able to change your payment and investment options at any time.
| Smart default option – Percentage of your balance you’ll receive each year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Your age on 1 July | Temporary drawdown amounts (for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 only)* |
Default drawdown amounts for 2021-22 financial years onwards† |
|
| Under 80 | 6% | 6% | |
| 80 to 84 | 6% | 7% | |
| 85 to 89 | 6% | 9% | |
| 90 to 94 | 6% | 11% | |
| 95 and over | 7% | 14% | |
*The temporary Smart Default drawdown amounts are for the financial years 2019-20 and 2020-21. They have been reduced in response to the temporary reduction in minimum super drawdown amounts for account based pensions, which were introduced by the Government as part of their economic response to COVID-19 (coronavirus). The temporary minimum amount is 50% of what is listed in the current PDS and other material, unless otherwise stated.
†The default minimum drawdown amounts for Smart Default will apply from 1 July 2021, for the financial years 2021-22 onwards.
Choosing your own options
If you choose your own options, you can
- choose DIY and Pre Mixed investment options, or manage your account using Member Direct,
- decide how much income you’ll get (minimum limits apply), and
- decide how often you’ll get payments – fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or twice a year.
Proud winners of a Canstar 5-Star Rating for account based pension^
^AustralianSuper received the Canstar 5-Star Rating for Outstanding Value Account Based Pension in 2019. Full methodology available here.