THE HON. GREG COMBET AM MP
Acting Minister for Defence
Thursday, 22 October 2009
087/2009
IMPROVED DEATH AND INVALIDITY BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS
OF THE MILITARY SUPERANNUATION AND BENEFITS SCHEME
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, announced
today that the Rudd Government will improve death and invalidity benefits for
members of the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS).
Mr Combet announced that the Rudd Government has decided that, backdated
from 1 July 2007, benefits for death and invalidity payments will be calculated in
line with recent changes to the compulsory retirement age for ADF members.
“For those eligible, this decision will result in an average increase in death or
invalidity payments for eligible persons of approximately 20 per cent, depending
on their circumstances,” Mr Combet said.
The previous Government changed the compulsory retirement age for the majority
of ADF members from age 55 to age 60 from 1 July 2007. That change was not
intended to impact on the Superannuation benefits of ADF members and no
funding for any such changes was provided at that time.
The policy decision taken by the Rudd Government makes this intention clear and
funds this decision.
“Benefit payments paid after 1 July 2007 that may have eligibility will be reviewed
as a matter of priority and, where necessary, adjustments will be made,” Mr
Combet said.
“Affected parties will be advised of any change in benefits as soon as the review
has been completed and any increased benefit amount will be paid with interest.
I am also pleased that increasing prospective service to calculate death or
invalidity benefits for the Military Superannuation Benefits scheme results in a
positive outcome for ADF members and their families, especially in their time of
need,” Mr Combet said.
Mr Combet said that death and invalidity benefits for members of the Defence
Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme are not affected because benefits in
this scheme are based on a percentage of salary and not linked to age.
Media Contact:
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet):
(02) 6277 7620 or 0458 276 619
Defence Public Affairs:
(02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
