Defence Force Superannuation Situation a Disgrace

SINCE 1948, members of the Australian Defence Force have contributed to various superannuation schemes.

Those who retired after serving 20 or more years are entitled to fortnightly superannuation payments that are based on a percentage of their final salary and completed years of service.

These payments are subject to indexation to ensure they maintain pace with average weekly earnings.

Members were also entitled to apply for an advance of future entitlements to assist with the difficult task of resettlement back into civilian life.

Having elected to do so, ongoing payments were reduced by an amount per annum that included in the calculation the member’s life expectancy.

The average Australian male now has a much higher life expectancy and the result of this is that former Service men and women will repay far more than their original pre-payment.

There are opportunities for Centrelink clients to request an advance on future entitlements and receive a lower pension until the advance has been acquitted.

Why is there such discrimination against former members of the ADF?

Five per cent of the advance was subject to taxation and even after the member has acquitted their advance they remain on the lower level of fortnightly superannuation until the day they die.

Throughout the years, our Defence Force has fought for the freedom we enjoy but we need the public’s support. We ask people to “Google” change.org, then enter DFRDB, then read and sign our petition. Maybe the Government will be motivated to redress this disgraceful situation.

JOHN PRONK, Dawesville.