How TPD cover can help
TPD cover can help you keep up with life expenses if you can’t work anymore. It can help you:
• replace current and future income with a lump sum payment
• preserve your family’s lifestyle
• pay for medical expenses and modifications
• avoid relying on your savings to stay supported.
More benefits
Receive a lump sum payment
Help to cover important expenses if you become permanently unable to work.
Top up your cover after key life moments
Apply to increase your TPD cover after significant life events.
Apply for more cover when you need it
Apply for up to $3 million TPD cover to help you prepare for the unexpected.
Not sure how much cover you need?
Our calculator factors in things like your salary, financial commitments and family needs to give you an estimate of your TPD cover needs.
If you’d prefer to chat about your cover over the phone or in-person at a UniSuper member centre, you can also book an appointment with someone from our advice team.
How to get TPD cover
When you first join UniSuper
When you become a member, you can get default TPD cover without providing any health information.
• If you’re an Accumulation 1 member, you automatically get cover and have the option to double your cover.
• If you’re a Personal Account member, you must opt-in to get cover when applying to join.
If you apply later
You can apply for TPD cover at any time. Our insurer will then review your application alongside any health information you’re asked to provide.
Adding more cover after a life event
If you already have TPD cover and your needs change, you can apply to increase your cover amount without providing health information if:
• you take out a mortgage and buy a home
• you start or end a marriage or de facto relationship
• you have a child or adopt a child
• your dependent child starts tertiary education
• your partner passes away.
Learn more about Life Events cover and what conditions apply
How TPD cover works
How to qualify for a TPD benefit
If physical or mental ill-health prevents you from working in a job you’re qualified for, you may be eligible for a TPD benefit. Your eligibility also depends on whether you’ve:
• been unable to work for 3 months while employed, or
• suffered ill-health for 3 months while unemployed.
Learn about other ways you can claim a TPD benefit
What it costs
Your premium is influenced by your age and sex at birth. If you’re a Personal Account member, your occupation rating also influences your premium.
What it doesn’t cover
For default cover, pre-existing conditions aren’t covered for at least:
• 3 years if you’re a Personal Account member, or
• 1 year if you’re an Accumulation 1 or DBD member and you can’t work when your cover starts.
For new cover and lapsed cover you restart, TPD benefits aren’t payable for:
• war
• self-inflicted harm or attempted suicide that occurs in the first 12 months of your cover starting.
How your cover can change over time
You’ll generally receive age-based cover, so your cover amount and cost changes over time. This can help provide more cover at life stages you’re likelier to need it.
If you want to keep the same level of TPD cover as you get older, you can convert your age-based cover to fixed cover. With fixed cover, your cover amount generally stays the same, but your premiums increase over time.
Learn more about TPD cover
The Insurance in your super booklet offers detailed information about our insurance cover options, including costs, eligibility, definitions, and terms and conditions.
FAQs
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What is the TPD waiting period?
In most cases you’ll need to be disabled for at least three consecutive months before we can assess you for a TPD benefit.
To learn more, see the Insurance in your super booklet (PDF 832 KB)
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When is the waiting period waived?
You may be assessed immediately if you suffer 25% whole person impairment or if you suffer any of the following defined medical conditions:
• cancer
• chronic liver disease
• chronic lung disease
• chronic renal failure
• coronary artery bypass surgery
• heart attack (Myocardial Infarction)
• major head trauma
• severe burns
• stroke
• total blindness
• total deafness, or
• transient ischaemic attack
Explore more cover options
Death cover
Death cover can provide a payment to your beneficiaries if you die, or you if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Income Protection cover
Income Protection cover provides monthly payments if you temporarily can’t work due to an illness or injury.
