Superannuation Choice As of the 1st of July 2005, based on new rules on superannuation choice, employees will now be given the freedom to decide which super fund they would like to have their superannuation contributions made to. Should you not wish to choose a fund, your employer will nominate the fund to make the contributions to. In most cases, this will be the fund you are currently a member of. Frequency of Change Your employer will only be obligated to accept one super fund choice per 12-month period. While some employers may allow for more than one choice within that period, you should consider any additional fees that may be incurred and a possible compromise in investment returns each time you decide to make a change. Standard Choice Form A standard choice form will be provided to you at the start of your employment or anytime you wish to make a change of superannuation funds. It consists of two parts, Part A and Part B. Part A will be filled out by your employer and will contain information on the default fund used should you not make a super choice. This section will also state the rate, as a percentage of your wage/salary, of contributions that will be made by your employer for the default fund and a fund selected by you (if they differ). Part B is the section you will need to fill out to choose a fund. The information you need should be provided to you from your selected super fund. Making the Choice Compare the features, fees and past performance (if available) of your current fund and the various funds you are considering. The fund you choose must be a complying superannuation fund to ensure that tax concessions applicable to super will apply. Once you have decided on a complying superannuation fund, you can make your choice by completing the standard choice form or providing the relevant details of your chosen fund to your employer in written form. Your employer must then make contributions to your chosen fund within two months. In some cases, your employer may not be able to make contributions to that particular fund due to peculiarities with the fund's requirements. In this case, you may have to speak to your employer, choose another fund or call the Tax Office to settle the issue. Eligibility for Super Choice Most employees should be eligible to make a choice of superannuation funds unless they: have super paid by a state award, industrial agreement or certified agreement are a public sector employee excluded from choice by law or special regulations are a member of a defined benefit fund under certain conditions (speak to your fund manager or employer to determine if this applies to you)