Members: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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NESS produces a full Benefit Statement at 30 June and a listing of transactions for the 6 months to 31 December. They will normally be sent to your home address within three months of these dates, so it is important that you advise us of any change to your address. The Annual Report is available on the NESS website at the time you receive your June statement.
Simply contact NESS (any method is OK) and we will update your details accordingly. Remember to quote your member number and identify yourself if you are telephoning us. Alternatively, you may update your details via
Member Login.
Preservation rules apply to ensure that your super money is normally available to fund your retirement. Exceptions to this rule are:
- The ability to withdraw any money referred to as 'Unrestricted Non-Preserved Benefits'. This category is shown on your statement. You may withdraw this money at any time. There is a charge of $50 to process your claim.
- Limited amounts can be claimed due to financial hardship and on compassionate grounds.
Please contact us if you think that you qualify.
Before you can access your account online, you have to contact us to request a password and a user name. Once you have received your password, enter
Member Login - it’s as simple as that.
NESS can help if you have a question about your super. You will usually receive an answer over the phone. Otherwise, you might be asked to put your question in writing. You should receive an answer within 28 days.
If you are not satisfied with the answer you receive or wish to make a complaint, you should write to NESS who will refer the matter to the Trustee. The Trustee will make every effort to resolve your complaint within 90 days.
If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may take it to the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal (SCT). The SCT is an independent body set up by the Government to help members or their beneficiaries resolve superannuation complaints. Before you contact the SCT, however, you must first try to resolve the issue through NESS’ internal processes. The SCT will only handle certain types of complaints and time limits apply for lodging them. If the SCT accepts your complaint, it will try to help you and the Trustee reach agreement through conciliation. If this is not successful, the SCT will make a decision that is binding on all parties. For more information on this process, you can contact the SCT on 1300 780 808 or visit the SCT website at
www.sct.gov.au.
Tax may be deducted from a benefit paid to you from NESS. The amount of tax will vary depending on the balance of your account, the amount of any tax free or untaxed component, your age and the type of benefit you receive (retirement, financial hardship, death or disability). When you claim your benefit from NESS, it is important that we have your Tax File Number. If not, your benefit could be taxed at the highest marginal rate.
Yes, NESS will accept transfers (known as rollovers). Most other funds will allow you to transfer your entitlement to NESS. However, you'll have to check with the other fund first to see whether its Trust Deed allows such transfers. Also, check to see if any termination fees will apply. NESS may allow your insurance to be transferred. Once you have decided to transfer a benefit, this can be organised by contacting the other fund or, if you prefer, we can arrange it for you (you'll have to complete a Member Authority to NESS to Rollover Benefits in Other Superannuation Funds form first)
You can download this form from our
Publications & Forms page.
The current Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Supplementary Product Disclosure Statement (if applicable) contain a summary of NESS' benefits.
You can download this from our
Publications & Forms page.
You can simply contact NESS. We will be happy to give you a quote. Remember to quote your member number if you are telephoning us. Alternatively, you can obtain a quote by going to Member Login, our online access system. If you want to obtain a projection of your benefit into the future, try our superannuation calculator.
While you are an employee, you can withdraw money that is classified as Unrestricted Non-Preserved. Your super will become unpreserved when you reach age 65 or it can be accessed as a pension from age 55.
No. This is not allowed under superannuation legislation.
Not from your account. But, as a member of NESS, you may apply to Members Equity Bank. They have competitive rates and different types of loans that may suit your needs.
Yes. Your insurances will continue while there are sufficient funds in your account to pay the premiums.
If you are aged 60 or more you must complete a Benefit Payment Application form. Please ensure you follow the instructions given and provide all the information requested. Please note that the payment of your benefit may be restricted by your employment status and or outstanding contributions. Please contact NESS if you require further information.
You can download the form from our
Publications & Forms page.
No. Your benefit must remain in your name only, and cannot be transferred to anyone else's name. Nor can it be held in joint names.
Your insurances will continue while there are sufficient funds in your account to pay the premiums.
The Trustee is required by law to request Tax File Numbers (TFNs) from you. You do not have to provide your TFN to the Trustee.
If you do not provide your TFN you may pay a higher rate of tax.
If you do provide a TFN, the Trustee can only use it for purposes allowed by law.
