How it works
Your superannuation includes contributions from your employer and your take-home pay. There are 2 parts to your DBD account: the defined benefit component and the accumulation component. Your defined benefit component is calculated by a formula. Your accumulation component grows with contributions and positive investment returns.
See the Product Disclosure Statement (PDF, 2.5 MB) for more information.
Contributions
Your employer contributes 14% or 17% of your salary to super, depending on your work arrangement. When you first join the DBD, you'll automatically contribute 7% of your after-tax take-home pay (called default member contributions) as well. You can reduce or cancel your default member contributions at any time, but doing this will affect your super and other benefits.
Your DBD account components
Defined benefit component
Your defined benefit component is calculated with a formula based on your contributions, your age, your work arrangements, and your salary over the last 5 years.
Your contributions to the defined benefit component are pooled together with other defined benefit members' contributions and invested together. Read more about funding the DBD or download UniSuper’s Defined Benefit Division explained (PDF, 492KB).
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See the DBD formula in detail
The DBD formula
The defined benefit formula for when you resign or retire is shown below. A different formula may apply if you joined the DBD before 1 January 2015. You can check your benefit statement to see your formula.
Benefit SalaryGenerally, your average salary over the last 5 years you’ve contributedBenefit ServiceHow long you’ve been a DBD memberLump sum factorBased on your age when we calculate your defined benefitAverage Service FractionReflecting your level of employment (full-time/part-time) and any allowances throughout your DBD membership
Average Contribution FactorHow much you’ve contributed to the DBD throughout your DBD membershipExample of the DBD formula
Breanna Dellathy
On the date of calculation
Average salary over the last 5 years: $50,000
DBD membership: 5 years
Service history: Full-time throughout her DBD membership
Age: 40
Member contributions: 7% throughout her DBD membership
Breanna's defined benefit componentBreanna is 40 years old (lump sum factor = 18%) and has been a DBD member for 5 years (benefit service = 5). She has worked full-time since joining (Average Service Fraction = 100%) and her average salary over the last 5 years is $50,000 (Benefit Salary= $50,000).
Breanna has made default member contributions throughout her DBD membership (Average Contribution Factor = 100%).
Breanna’s defined benefit component is:$50,000 × 5 × 18% × 100% × 100% = $45,000
Accumulation component
The money in your accumulation component earns investment returns and generally grows over time. Changes in investment markets directly affect the amount in this component, so future balances can be harder to predict. You can choose from a range of investment options how the money in your accumulation component is invested.
Money transferred from other superannuation funds (rollovers), or extra personal contributions are added to your accumulation component.
Inbuilt benefits and insurance
Your inbuilt benefits and insurance cover you for life’s unplanned events. Most DBD members receive these automatically.
While they are similar, different rules and eligibility requirements apply.
DBD inbuilt benefits and insurance cover at a glance
| Event | Inbuilt benefit | Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury |
Monthly payments (including super) for up to 2 years |
Not available to DBD members |
| Permanently unable to work due to illness or injury |
Monthly payments (including super) up to age 65 |
|
| Terminal illness or death | A single lump sum payment (including super) up to age 60 |
|
All events must meet the relevant definitions in the UniSuper Trust Deed and Regulations.
Insurance is only available for DBD members with an accumulation component.
Inbuilt benefits
Your inbuilt benefits can cover you if you can’t work due to illness or injury, if you have a terminal illness or pass away.
- Formulas that take into account your work arrangements and salary determine your benefit amount. Your default member contribution rate could also impact how we calculate your inbuilt death benefit.
- You don’t pay premiums – costs are built into the DBD product.
- You can’t change or cancel them.
Generally, a 3-year exclusion period applies to pre-existing conditions. See the Product Disclosure Statement (PDF, 2.5 MB) for more information.
Insurance
Death and Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) insurance cover you if you can’t work again due to illness, injury, if you have a terminal illness or pass away.
- The amount of cover you have usually depends on your age.
- You can apply to increase or cancel this cover.
- Premiums are deducted from your accumulation component each month. Your premium amount will depend on the type and level of cover you have.
This insurance is provided by TAL Life Limited (TAL) ABN 70 050 109 450, AFSL No. 237848.
Visit our frequently asked questions and glossary page to find out more about insurance and inbuilt benefits for the Defined Benefit Division.
Fees
| Type of fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Investment fees and costs1, 2 (accumulation component) | 0.42% per year |
| Transaction costs1,3,4 | 0.09% per year |
| Buy-sell spread | Not applicable. |
| Switching fee | Not applicable. |
| Other fees and costs2 | Where there is activity related fees and costs they are deducted as described in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDF, 2.5 MB). |
Things you need to know
1 The investment fees and costs and transaction costs shown are indicative only and are based on the investment fees and costs and transaction costs for the year ended 30 June 2023, including several components which are estimates. The actual amount you’ll be charged in subsequent financial years will depend on the actual fees and costs incurred by the Trustee in managing the investment option. Investment fees and costs include an amount of 0.03% for performance fees. The calculation basis for this amount is set out in the ‘Additional explanation of fees and costs’ in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDF, 2.5 MB).
2 See ‘Additional explanation of fees and costs’ in ‘Fees and other costs’ section of the Product Disclosure Statement (PDF, 2.5 MB).
3 The investment fees and costs and transaction costs for other investment options are set out in section ‘Fees and other costs’, and are calculated on the same basis, and paid at the same frequency and in the same manner as for the Balanced investment option.
4 For the financial year ended 30 June 2024, the transaction costs for this option are expected to increase by 0.07%.
Choose your super product
Remember, you can only make this choice once. If you do transfer, you can’t go back to the DBD.
Compare the Defined Benefit Division and Accumulation 2
See how the DBD and Accumulation 2 compare and find out which product might suit you.