4 August 2008

Information for Indigenous People on Superannuation

Senator the Hon Nick Sherry, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, has welcomed the updated edition of Super and Us Mob – an Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) booklet about superannuation aimed at Indigenous people.

"Super and Us Mob is a free booklet designed to help Indigenous super fund members better understand superannuation and to make the most of their savings.

"This new version brings together a range of information on how super works, and how it can work for members. We hope the booklet will be widely used by individuals, community workers, financial counsellors and employers," Minister Sherry said.

The booklet, first published in 2006, uses stories about different people in different work situations and at different life stages. It focuses on entitlements to superannuation, finding lost superannuation, providing tax file numbers, insurance and death benefits.

The main messages include:

  • Make sure your super fund has your Tax File Number (TFN)
  • Your boss should pay super for you
  • You can choose your super fund
  • Put extra money into your fund
  • Bring your super together in one fund
  • Through super co-contributions the Government can also add to your super, and
  • Some super funds offer insurance benefits which help to protect you and your family if you die or are too sick to work

Free copies of Super and Us Mob are available through ASIC's consumer website FIDO at www.fido.gov.au/indigenous/Resources or by calling ASIC's Infoline on 1300 300 630. The booklet is also available from the ATO at www.ato.gov.au or call 1300 720 092.