How to make a death claim
2025 | 5min read
We understand that losing a loved one is an incredibly difficult time, and we want to make the process of making a death claim as smooth as possible for you. We’ll provide you with a dedicated case manager to help guide you through the entire process. They’ll help you complete the forms and give you tips on how to get hold of any supporting documents you may need.
How to claim a deceased member’s super
1. Notify us of the member’s death
You can either complete this online form or call us on 1300 650 873.
When you notify us, we’ll need some of the member’s details such as:
- First name, middle name, last name
- Aware membership number
- Last known residential address
- Date of birth
- Date of death.
Once you notify us, we’ll assign a dedicated case manager to support you through the process, if you need it.
2. Submit a claim form and evidence of your claim
When you notify us, you’ll get an email with a link to a web page with information about what you will need to do to complete the claim. Your case manager will also send you an email to introduce themselves and confirm what information you will need to provide. This will include:
- Relevant claims form(s)
- A signed and witnessed declaration that the information provided is accurate and complete
- Evidence of your claim, verified by a qualified person.
Typically the types of documents you’ll be asked for to evidence your claim will include certified copies of:
- Deceased member’s death certificate
- if they have insurance you’ll also need a cause of death
- A will, if one exists
- Deceased member’s identification
- 1 current (not expired): passport, birth certificate, driver’s licence or proof of age card. See our Proof of ID page for instructions or alternate options.
- Your identification
- 1 current (not expired): passport, birth certificate, driver’s licence or proof of age card. See our Proof of ID page for instructions or alternate options.
- For spouses and de facto’s proof of relationship
- marriage certificate, proof of registration or statutory declaration & evidence of relationship, like shared utility bills, mortgage or bank statements
- For children, birth or adoption certificate
The information we send will explain how to obtain these documents, get them certified and where to send them.
Get accessible help
Deaf or hearing impaired
Call the National Relay Service (NRS) on 1300 555 727. You can ask for 1300 650 873.
Translation or interpreter
Call our translation service on 13 14 50 – say your language at the prompt and choose your preferred language. The TIS National Consultant will call Aware Super on 13AWARE (8am-7pm Mon-Fri AEST) and translate your conversation.
TIS is bound by the Australian National Privacy Principles, so your discussion will be secure and confidential. You can also visit the TIS National website tisnational.gov.au
What happens next?
3. We’ll review your claim
If the member has insurance, we’ll lodge the claim with the insurer. If we need more information to process your claim, your case manager will let you know.
4. If the claim for death insurance is approved
We’ll deposit the money into the member’s Aware Super account.
5. We’ll review all received claim information
This may include information from several claiming parties. Who the benefit is paid to will depend on the claims made, whether the member nominated a valid beneficiary and whether that nomination was a binding nomination.
Valid binding beneficiary nomination or a reversionary beneficiary
We’re generally required by law to pay a beneficiary nominated in a binding nomination or named as a reversionary beneficiary.
No nomination
We’ll decide who should receive the benefit based on super law, fund rules and the claim information we’ve received.
6. We’ll contact the beneficiaries
Where there are several potential beneficiaries and depending on the circumstances, we’ll let them know how we propose to pay the death benefit. Potential beneficiaries then have 28 days to lodge an objection if they disagree. If an objection is received, the benefit cannot be paid until it’s resolved.
7. Payment is made
Where there is no objection, payment is made to the beneficiary/s. The death benefit payable will consist of the member’s account balance and any insured amount (if applicable).
woman sitting with child using laptop
FAQ
When a member dies, generally a superannuation death benefit can only be paid to their dependants and/or their legal personal representative. This is usually the executor or administrator of their estate.
If we can’t locate a legal personal representative or a dependant, only then can we consider paying the benefit to another person.
Under superannuation law, a dependant can be:
- a spouse or de facto spouse
- a child, including a stepchild, adopted child, or the child of a spouse
- a financial dependant, or
- a person with whom the member was in an interdependency relationship with.
Adult children can receive a member’s death benefit. Minor children and financially dependent children will be considered first.
A lump sum benefit paid to a dependant for tax purposes is generally tax free.
How we define a dependant for tax purposes is different to the definition that we use when deciding where to pay a death benefit. A dependant for tax purposes includes:
- a spouse, former spouse or a de facto spouse
- children under age 18
- a person with whom the member had an interdependency relationship, and
- any other person who was financially dependent on the member.
If we pay the legal personal representative, we don’t deduct tax. The legal personal representative is then responsible for managing the estate’s tax affairs.
If you’re not a dependant for tax purposes, it’s very likely you will have to pay tax on the benefit. Exactly how much will depend on factors like what kinds of contributions were made into the account and whether or not the super fund deducted tax from contributions and earnings.
A case study: Tax on death cover
Alec has $100,000 in his super balance and death cover of $750,000. He has a total benefit of $850,000 payable in the event of his death. The binding death benefit nomination on his account tells us to pay 100% of his benefit to his adult child, Ruth. As Alec’s child, Ruth is considered a dependant under super law and fund rules.
Alec passes away unexpectedly. As there was a valid binding nomination on his account, Ruth receives Alec’s total death benefit. Ruth was not financially dependent on her father at the time of his death, so she is not considered a dependant for tax purposes. Ruth will have to pay tax on the benefit.
