Skip to main content

Account-based pensions offer a flexible and tax-effective method of drawing a regular income stream from superannuation. They are an essential part of your overall retirement strategy and are usually used from retirement until death.

But what happens to your tax-free account-based pension when you do die?

Superannuation does not automatically form part of your Will unless a Death Benefit Nomination is completed to that effect. In our November newsletter, we will cover the nomination of an individual beneficiary, where the nomination of a member’s estate and a reversionary beneficiary nomination is not in place.

What are your beneficiary’s options?

The short answer is it depends. To receive your account-based pension your nominated beneficiary may have two options:

  1. Commencing a death benefit pension; or
  2. Receiving a lump-sum payment.

Both options are subject to additional eligibility criteria. Let’s briefly explore both options with our focus being option 1, commencing a death benefit pension.

Option 1: Commencing a death benefit pension

Features of a death benefit pension

A death benefit pension can basically be considered as allowing your account-based pension to live on after you die, for the benefit of your eligible beneficiary. Features of this pension are much the same as those for an account-based pension. Arguably, the most attractive feature is the tax-free nature in which the assets will reside. Recipients are required to receive a minimum cash pension payment each year which is based on their age and pension balance as at the previous 30 June.

Death benefit pensions can also be rolled into another fund at any time, however, they retain their identity as a death benefit. Therefore, a death benefit pension cannot be combined with other pensions or rolled back to the accumulation phase.

Is your nominated beneficiary eligible?

Generally, only your spouse is eligible. Adult children and your legal personal representative (your estate) would have to receive the benefit as a lump-sum withdrawal, i.e., the assets are removed from the superannuation environment and subject to tax on the taxable component. A dependent child (or children) may also receive a death benefit pension in limited circumstances; if they are under age 18; under age 25 and financially dependent on you; or have a prescribed disability.

Transfer Balance Cap

Another important matter to consider is your eligible beneficiary’s Transfer Balance Cap (TBC). To reiterate, the TBC is a lifetime limit on the total amount of funds that can enter the tax-free pension phase, currently at $1.7 million. Where your beneficiary has already commenced an account-based pension and does not have a sufficient remaining TBC to receive the death benefit pension, they may roll back their existing account-based pension into the accumulation phase to create room for the death benefit pension.

Option 2: Receiving a lump-sum payment

The alternative is to receive the amount as a lump-sum payment. With this option, the funds exit the superannuation environment. The benefits may be cashed as either in-specie or cash depending on your fund’s governing rules.

Conclusion

The death benefit pension option presents an opportunity for your eligible beneficiary to maximise the total amount of funds held within superannuation. While there are limitations on who can exercise this option and matters complicated by TBC, it is still worth considering as the assets will reside in a concessional tax environment.

If you would like to discuss further, please contact your Bell Potter adviser.

VIEW NEWSLETTER

LEARN MORE

Our Technical Financial Advice team, in conjunction with a Bell Potter adviser can help you create a road map to achieve your financial goals, no matter where you are today. Whether you are looking for one-off advice or ongoing advice, our team can assist.

Get in touch with us to set up a complimentary initial appointment over the phone or in person across Australia.

Authored by Jeremy Tyzack – Head of Technical Financial Advice at Bell Potter Securities, November 2021
Important Disclaimer—This information was prepared by Bell Potter Securities Limited ABN 25 006 390 772 AFSL 243480 (Bell Potter) for use by Australian residents. This information is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, situation or needs. Before making a decision about investing, you should consider your financial requirements and if necessary, seek appropriate independent financial, legal, taxation or other advice. This information is believed to be correct at the time of compilation but is not guaranteed to be accurate, complete or timely. Bell Potter and its related bodies corporate do not accept any liability arising out of the use or distribution of this information. Shares should be considered a long-term investment which may be volatile over the short term and may fall in price. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.