QSuper product and legislation changes and how they may impact your clients
04 May 2021
6
min read
QSuper is making some changes to our QSuper Product Disclosure Statements and Guides. Find out what the changes mean for your QSuper client.
QSuper recently released a product and legislation update for members about some changes that may impact your QSuper client.
This includes changes to some of our investment options, including how we invest your client’s money.
Some of our insurance terms and conditions are also changing. This does not mean a change to your client’s insurance cover or costs.
There are also some other changes including pending legislation around transfer and contribution caps.
See the changes below and some Frequently Asked Questions about what the changes mean.
Investment changes
To give us the flexibility to achieve our aim of strong, long-term performance and investment options that are tailored to members’ needs, QSuper has made some investment changes.
These include widening asset allocation ranges for some investment options.
QSuper is also updating the Standard Risk Measure, also known as the number of negative annual returns which could be expected over any 20-year period, for our Diversified Bonds and Lifetime Sustain 2 investment options.
QSuper is also increasing the number of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) available in the Self Invest option.
FAQs for Financial Advisers on Investment changes
Why are the changes being made to asset allocation ranges? Show content
These ranges give us the flexibility to make investment decisions that will help us meet our investment objectives as market conditions change.
What will be the Standard Risk Measure (SRM) change for Diversified Bonds? Show content
Before 1 July 2021, it was between 1 and 2 times, or rated low to medium risk. From 1 July 2021, it will be between 2 and 3 times, or medium risk.
What will be the Standard Risk Measure change for Sustain 2? Show content
Before 1 July 2021, it was less than 0.5 times, or very low risk. From 1 July 2021, it will be between 0.5 and 1 times, or low risk.
What will the changes to ETFs available in the Self Invest option mean for investment management fees? Show content
The increase in the number of ETFs available in Self Invest means the range of investment management fees that apply for Self Invest ETFs will widen from 0.03-0.59% before 1 July 2021 to up to 1% from 1 July 2021.
How will my clients be told about the changes? Show content
All members will be sent the Product and Legislation update May 2021 with a covering letter to provide context via their preferred method of communication.
Insurance changes
QSuper is making changes to our insurance by adding some new definitions and updating terms and conditions for some claims.
These changes may impact any claim an eligible member makes for an injury or illness that happens from 1 July 2021.
- Your client’s insurance cover and cost will not be changing.
- These changes will not impact the current claim or pending claim of any member.
FAQs for Financial Advisers on Insurance changes
What are the changes to QSuper’s insurance cover? Show content
For any insurance claim where a member has an injury or illness that starts after 30 June 2021, there will be some changes to insurance terms and conditions and some new definitions.
These changes are:
For income protection cover:
- Workers compensation offset – payment changes
- Removal of Graduated Return to Work additional payment
- Removal of CPI increases
- Definition changes for Partial and temporary disablement and Total and temporary disablement.
For TPD cover:
- Definition change for Total and permanent disablement
- Definition change for date of disablement.
For death cover:
- Clarification to when death cover is reduced.
For all types of cover:
- Changes to when a pre-existing exclusion period will apply to a member’s cover.
There are also three new definitions that will apply from 1 July 2021 for:
- Other income
- Workers Compensation benefits
- Medical care.
How will my client be told about the changes? Show content
All members will be sent the Product and Legislation update May 2021 with a covering letter to provide context via their preferred method of communication.
Will the cost of insurance be changing? Show content
The cost of insurance will not be changing. Some insurance claims terms and conditions are changing, and the addition of definitions, only. These may impact your client’s insurance claim if they have an injury or illness that starts on or after 1 July 2021.
Will the changes to the insurance claims terms and conditions impact my client’s cover? Show content
These changes to our insurance terms and conditions may affect how and when your client receives an insurance payment, but will not change their level of insurance cover.
If your client has an injury or illness that starts on or after 1 July 2021, these changes may affect their insurance claim.
Why are the changes being made?Show content
QSuper aims to provide appropriate and affordable insurance cover for members. These changes are designed to help us meet this objective.
Legislation changes
The Australian Government is increasing the total superannuation balance limit that is used to determine whether members are eligible for several super-related measures for the following financial year, including non-concessional contributions.
The Australian Government is also increasing contribution caps for how much they can add to super.
In a third change under Australian Government legislation, the general transfer balance cap is increasing from $1.6 million to $1.7 million.
Your clients, who are QSuper members, will be sent the Product and Legislation update May 2021 with a covering letter to provide context via their preferred method of communication.
For more information
If you need more information on these changes and how they could affect your clients, we’re always here to help.
Please phone 1300 360 750 and select option 3 for advisers.