Types of disability benefits

There are two types of disability benefits offered through the Revised Scheme; permanent pension for disability, or temporary pension for disability.

Permanent pension for disability

If you are under age 60, cannot work and have been assessed as unable to resume employment, we may approve a disability retirement pension, paid fortnightly. A disability retirement benefit will be paid to you when your employment is terminated.

Your pension is calculated using: 

• your service to the date of disablement, 
• your prospective service to age 60 (which may be adjusted for periods of part-time service), 
• your final average salary at the time of your disability retirement. 

Your disability pension is payable for life, unless you are found fit for duty at one of the periodical reviews conducted by ESSSuper or you are engaging in gainful employment, in which case your pension may be reduced or suspended.

The disability retirement pension is eligible for a special 15% tax offset and is increased twice a year with positive movements in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Part-time service
If you are employed on a part-time basis prior to retiring on the grounds of disability, prospective service to age 60 is calculated by using the average time fraction of your service over the last three years to determine your full-time equivalent.

If you have reduced your hours from full-time to part-time due to a medical condition, we may recognise this service as full-time for benefit purposes. If this is the case please contact us on 1300 655 476.

Disability over retirement age

Members over retirement age who retire due to disability do not have any entitlement to a lump sum. However, in certain circumstances a lump sum may be available:

Initial assessment
A lump sum payment in lieu of the pension may be approved at the discretion of the Board at the initial assessment date. If approved the lump sum is equal to approximately five times the annual rate of pension and there will be no further entitlement to benefits from the Scheme.

Current disability pension recipients
If you are already receiving a permanent pension for disability you can apply to ESSSuper for a total lump sum payment in lieu of your disability pension which is subject to Board approval. If approved the lump sum is equal to approximately five times the annual rate of pension and there will be no further entitlement to benefits from the Scheme. Specific documentation will be requested if you apply for a pension conversion.

Temporary pension for disability

If ESSSuper believes that you may substantially recover from your injury or illness, we may decide to pay you a temporary pension. A temporary pension for disability may be payable for up to two years, with reviews at least every six months. If this is the case your employment is not terminated and you remain an active member of the Scheme.

The temporary pension is paid fortnightly and is calculated in the same manner as a permanent disability retirement pension except you are not entitled to claim the 15% tax offset against the pension, and therefore there is no pension reduction applied in respect of tax status.

• If you are interested in making an application, the following will help you prepare your application.
•  Check the application process