Nominating beneficiaries

Here’s how you can help to make sure your super benefit will ultimately go to the right people.

Why nominate?

It's important to nominate beneficiaries so we know who you’d prefer your superannuation and any insured benefit to go to in the event of your death. And it's equally important to keep your beneficiary nominations up to date, especially if your circumstances change – if you marry, have a child or if someone you have named as a beneficiary dies.

Who can be beneficiaries

Regardless of which type of nomination you choose, the Fund's Trust Deed only allows it to be paid to:

• your spouse (legally married or de facto partner)
• your children
• your legal personal representative (your estate), or
• any person who is financially dependent on you or is in an interdependent relationship with you.

Two types of beneficiary nomination

There are two types of nominations that you can make – Preferred Beneficiary and Binding Death Benefit nominations.

Preferred Beneficiary nomination

A Preferred Beneficiary nomination is used as a guide to determine who should receive your death benefit. The Trustee must act in the best interests of your dependants to decide who should receive a benefit and in what proportions, notwithstanding any nominations you have made.

If the benefit is paid to your legal personal representative, it will form part of your estate and will be distributed according to your Will. So naturally, it’s important that you keep your Will up to date.

If you die without a Will, it will be distributed in accordance with intestacy laws.

How to make or update a Preferred Beneficiary nomination

It’s easy to make a Preferred Beneficiary nomination. Simply complete the relevant section of your Membership Application form when you join.

To update your preferred beneficiaries you can:

• download or order a Change of details form, complete and send it to us, or
• login to MemberOnline, the secure section of this website and update your details directly.

Binding Death Benefit nomination

A Binding Death Benefit Nomination gives you greater certainty about who will receive your UniSuper benefit if you die. It is a written direction to the Trustee, which sets out the dependants and/or legal personal representative that you would like to receive your benefit if you die. It is a legally enforceable instruction that we are bound to follow, as long as the nomination is valid, and that those you have nominated qualify as beneficiaries.

A Binding Death Benefit nomination is only valid for three years and overrides any Preferred Beneficiary nomination you’ve made.

Please note: A Binding Death Benefit nomination does not apply to UniSuper pensions that pay a reversionary benefit. Before making a Binding Death Benefit nomination, you should be aware that it will automatically apply to every UniSuper account you may have.

How to make or update a Binding Death Benefit Nomination

To make or update a Binding Death Benefit nomination simply download or order a Binding Death Benefit nomination form, complete and send to UniSuper