AustralianSuper is the largest Australian superannuation and pension fund, with roughly 1 in 10 Australian workers as members. AustralianSuper is an industry superannuation fund run only to profit members. AustralianSuper has a MySuper authority, meaning it can accept default contributions from an employer on behalf of employees who have not nominated a superannuation fund. It is owned by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and employer peak body the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group).
If you are a member of AustralianSuper, depending on your age and other eligibility criteria, you will receive automatic Death Only and/or Death and Total & Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance. You may also have Income Protection (IP) insurance which pays you a monthly wage loss benefit based on a percentage of your salary for either 2 years or to age 65 depending on whether you elected additional insurance.
How do I make an AustralianSuper TPD claim?
If you intend making a claim on your AustralianSuper TPD and/or IP insurance, it's crucial to understand the conditions around claiming TPD and/or IP in Australia. The process from submitting a claim to receiving a benefit payment can be stressful and lengthy if you don't use a specialist TPD and IP lawyers. The large insurers use their own internal TPD and IP lawyers, so why wouldn’t you?
Firths are Australia’s leading TPD and IP lawyers and have built up a successful practice in prosecuting disability insurance claims. These successes have resulted in Firths obtaining countless decisions from super funds such as AustralianSuper and its insurer in a timely manner to pay out a client's claim, or to proceed to a court hearing in appropriate circumstances.
The first step to make an AustralianSuper TPD and/or IP claim is to contact Firths and arrange a suitable time for your free claim review. During the free consultation Firths expert TPD and/or lawyers will conduct a detailed review of your potential claim to ensure it meets the criteria for a viable AustralianSuper TPD and/or IP claim.
If you have a viable AustralianSuper TPD and/or IP claim, Firths will act on a fixed fee No Win No Fee basis meaning there is no charge until the end of the case and then only if successful and then only from the result. Firths will cover all the out of pocket expenses for you.
What criteria is used to assess TPD claims?
If you were considering making an AustralianSuper TPD claim without expert legal representation, the following criteria used to assess TPD claims highlights the challenges you may encounter:
Level of disablement
Some insurers will require a minimum level of disability. They will also look at the likelihood of you recovering from the disability.
Was your AustralianSuper TPD cover provided by default?
Default AustralianSuper TPD policies usually only cover an any-occupation disability. Additional AustralianSuper TPD policies may cover both own-occupation and any-occupation disability claims.
Own or any occupation?
Your AustralianSuper TPD cover will typically fall under own-occupation cover, although you may also have any-occupation cover if arranged in addition to your default policy. You'll need to meet the definition of your policy to be eligible for a claim.
Waiting periods
There is usually a minimum waiting period from the time you apply before you can make a claim.
How long have you been working?
Some TPD policies require you to meet a minimum level of work before you're eligible to make a claim.
Your ability to perform daily activities of living
Some TPD policies, require you to demonstrate an inability to perform certain daily living activities.
Ongoing medical care
Some TPD policies require you to show ongoing medical care to improve your condition or to prevent further illness.
If you’re not a TPD lawyer, the process to make an AustralianSuper TPD claim may seem overwhelming. Don’t give up, take up Firths free no-obligation AustralianSuper TPD claim assessment. Call 1800 631 888 and talk to the TPD experts.
