Changing your Death and TPD cover
If the default Level 2 cover isn’t the right amount of cover for your needs, you can apply for a different level of cover, or cancel your cover altogether.
You need to consider what expenses you would have if you were permanently injured and could not work again, or what your family would need to cover their needs if you died.
To check if your current insurance is enough, visit www.moneysmart.gov.au/how-life-insurance-works.
If you want to increase your level of Death and TPD cover, you will generally need to provide us with health information.
Once we have received your application form, we will be in touch with you to advise what information we need. It will usually include getting some information from your doctor.
To apply to change your Death and TPD cover, including cancelling it, complete and lodge the ‘Adjusting Your Insurance Cover’ form.
Depending on the health information you provide, exclusions or limitations may be placed on the new amount of insurance. We will write to you to let you know when your insurance is accepted and any limitations that apply.
If you cancel your insurance and wish to reapply for cover later, you will be asked to provide current health information at that time.
If you apply to change your level of cover, you will be covered at your new level only once your application is accepted and approved by the Board (or insurer). If you die as a result of an accident while your application is being assessed, you will be covered for the higher level of cover.
Changing your Death and TPD cover without health information
To make your life easier, there are circumstances where you can apply for insurance without having to provide additional health information.
New members: If you joined the Accumulation Scheme in the last 6 months, you can increase your cover to Level 3 (where 20% is used in the formula) or Level 4 (where 25% is used in the formula) without providing health information. Complete the ‘Adjusting Your Insurance Cover’ form.
Life events: You can increase your cover by one level without providing health information within 12 months of any of these special life events occurring:
- You get married
- You have a child (including by adoption)
- You take out a mortgage or increase your mortgage
- You turn 30 years old
- You turn 50 years old
Complete the Increase Insurance – Life Event form to increase your insurance within 12 months of one of these life events.
More information about Death Cover and TPD Cover
If you die (or are diagnosed with a terminal illness) while a member of Division 5, a benefit may be payable of:
- Your account balance, and
- Any insurance benefit (to age 60)
If you are eligible for a total and permanent disablement benefit, you may receive a benefit of:
- Your account balance, and
- Any insurance benefit
Members under the age of 60 have the choice of 9 levels of death and TPD cover. If you do not choose a level of cover and are eligible to be provided with insurance cover, you will automatically be provided with Level 2 cover.
You can nominate which of your dependants you wish to receive your benefit in the event of your death by completing a Binding Death Benefit Nomination form. You can find more information about this on the Beneficiaries page.
To make a TPD or Death claim please email us at inquiries@electricsuper.com.au.
More information about Disability Income Cover
This benefit provides you with up to 2/3 of your salary for up to 12 months if you can’t work due to illness or injury.
Salary is generally taken to be the salary you were being paid at the date you stopped receiving salary on account of your illness or injury.
When are Disability Income Benefits not payable?
- For periods off work of less than 5 consecutive business days
- If you still have any available sick leave
- If you are eligible for workers’ compensation
- If you recover, reach age 60 or die
- If your employment terminates
- For the same disability for more than 18 months in any 3 year period
- While you are taking annual leave or long service leave (you do not have to exhaust your annual or long service leave to qualify for Disability Income Benefit)
- If you are able to work in another available position with your employer which offers at least 80% of your previous salary (regardless of whether you take up the alternative position)
There is no waiting period before you can claim, as long as you have exhausted your sick leave. You can access Disability Income Benefit even if you still have annual or long service leave available.
For example, Steve has 1 week’s worth of sick leave but has 8 weeks’ worth of annual leave. He is taking 6 weeks off work after a knee reconstruction. Steve may apply to receive Disability Income Benefit for the period of his recovery after his sick leave has run out (that is, from the 2nd week of his recovery). He doesn’t need to use his annual leave. The sooner Steve contacts us about his upcoming surgery and recovery period, the smoother the process will be for Steve.
You will need to provide ongoing medical evidence that you continue to be unable to work.
To apply for a Disability Income Benefit, contact us at inquiries@electricsuper.com.au. You will need to work with your manager or HR to complete the application.
