Nominating a beneficiary
Your super is one of the most valuable investments you’ll make—so it’s worth making sure it ends up in the right hands.
By nominating a beneficiary, you decide who gets your super when you die. It’s a simple step that brings peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Why your nomination matters
Your super isn’t automatically part of your estate, meaning it may not be distributed according to your will. Without a valid nomination, there could be delays or disputes about who receives your super.
Nominating a beneficiary:
- Puts you in control
- Helps avoid legal uncertainty
- Makes a tough time easier for those you care about
Choose your nomination
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Binding nomination
Make your wishes legally^ binding—CSC must pay your super to the people you nominate.
^There may be limited circumstances where CSC cannot comply with a binding death benefit nomination. This can occur where either you or CSC are subject to a court order restraining or prohibiting payment in accordance with the binding nomination.
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Non-binding nomination
Have your say without locking it in—we’ll consider your wishes when making a decision while following super law.
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Reversionary nomination (CSCri)
Ensure your retirement income continues to support your chosen dependant.
Binding nomination
A binding nomination gives you certainty. If it’s valid and up to date when you pass away, we must pay your super to the people you’ve nominated^.
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What to know
- You can nominate more than one person, but the total must equal 100% using whole percentages (e.g. 30% + 20% + 50%)
- You can only nominate eligible beneficiaries under superannuation law.
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How to make a binding nomination
- Download and complete the Binding Beneficiary form.
- Print, sign, and have it witnessed.
- Email it to formsandapplications@pssap.com.au or formsandapplications@adf.com.au, or send it by mail1.
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Keeping it up to date
Binding nominations are valid for three years from when they are signed, confirmed, or amended.
We’ll remind you three months before yours is due to expire, so you can stay on top of it.
Once in place, it is simple to renew online:
- Log in to CSC Navigator
- Complete the Renewal Declaration to confirm and extend your current nomination.
Non-binding nomination
A non-binding nomination tells us who you’d prefer your super to go to. While it isn’t legally binding, it gives us guidance making decisions in line with superannuation law.
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How to make a non-binding nomination
Log in to CSC Navigator to add or edit your non-binding beneficiaries.
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Keeping it up to date
Your nomination doesn’t expire, but it’s important to review regularly.
You can make or change your nomination anytime via CSC Navigator.
Reversionary nomination (CSCri)
If you’re receiving a CSC retirement income stream (CSCri), a reversionary nomination means your dependant can continue receiving those payments after you die.
Choosing this option:
- Provides certainty and continuity for your loved one
- Overrides any previous nominations made (binding or non-binding)
- Does not expire
You can only nominate a single dependant, and you can’t nominate your estate.
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How we’ll pay your benefit
We’ll pay your income stream to your nominated dependant until your account balance reaches zero. While your dependant is receiving the income stream, they have authority to manage the account, for example switch investment options, change the annual payment amount and make lump sum withdrawals.
Note that if an income stream is payable to a child over 18 who is:
- disabled, we will pay the income stream until the account balance reaches zero
- not disabled but who is a financial dependant, we will pay this only until the child turns 25, at which time we will pay them a lump sum for the remaining account balance (otherwise, the income stream stops at age 18).
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How to make a reversionary nomination
- Download and complete the Binding Beneficiary Nomination Form (CSCri).
- Print, sign, and have it witnessed.
- Email it to formsandapplications@cscri.com.au or send it by mail.
Who you can nominate
Binding and non-binding nominations:
Under superannuation law, your nominated beneficiaries must be one or more of the following (in whichever percentage you choose).
- Your spouse (including de facto spouse and same sex partners), who lives with you on a genuine domestic basis
- Your children of any age (including adopted children or foster children)
- Someone you share an interdependency relationship with, or
- Your legal personal representative (your estate).
Reversionary nominations:
Under superannuation law, you can only nominate a single dependant, and you can’t nominate your estate. Your nominated beneficiary must be one of the following:
- Your spouse (including de facto spouse and same sex partners), who lives with you on a genuine domestic basis
- Your child under 18*, or
- Someone you share an interdependency relationship with.
*You can nominate a child 18 or older only if (i) they are aged between 18 and 25 and financially dependent on you immediately before your death, or (ii) they are disabled within the meaning of the Disability Services Act 1986 (Cth).
An interdependency relationship is defined under super and tax law as being between two people:
- - who have a close personal relationship
- - who live together
- - where one or each of them gives the other financial support, and
- - where one or each of them gives the other domestic support and personal care.
Keep your nomination up to date
It’s important to review regularly, including if you marry or separate, you have children, a nominated beneficiary passes away, or your living or circumstances change.
Nomination forms
Beneficiary nomination (ADF Super & PSSap)
Use this form to nominate someone to receive your benefit if you die.
Nominate a beneficiary (CSCri)
Use this form to legally nominate, change, renew or revoke an existing nomination of who you would like your CSCri benefit paid to when you die.