As a contributing member of SASS, a large part of your benefit is based on a formula, so the majority of your money has been protected from market risk. Your personal account is accumulative which will be subject to market returns.
You get to choose an investment strategy for your personal account. There are 4 investment options available.
Key points
Your personal account is pooled with other members of SASS and invested in an investment strategy.
You get to choose an investment strategy for your personal account. There are 4 investment strategies available.
You can choose one or more of investment strategies in whatever portion you like as long as they add up to 100%. You can also nominate a different combination of strategies for your account balance and future contributions.
If you don’t make an investment choice, your personal account will default to the Growth investment strategy.
You can switch investment strategies once a month.
Investment choice does not apply to the employer financed part of your SASS benefit or the State Authorities Non-Contributory Scheme (SANCS) benefit which includes the Basic Benefit
An Aware Super financial planner1 can help you choose the investment strategy that is right for you taking into account the level of risk and investment time horizon.
1 Advice provided by Aware Financial Services Australia Limited (ABN 86 003 742 756, AFSL 238430), wholly owned by Aware Super.
You are responsible for choosing the investment strategy for the balance of your Personal Account. Investment choice does not apply to the Employer Financed Benefit or State Authorities non-contributory scheme (SANC’s) account which includes your basic benefit.
Your Personal Account balance is combined with that of other members in the same investment strategy and invested in diverse range of assets. There are 4 investment strategies available to SASS members – Growth, Balanced, Conservative and Cash. You can choose whatever proportion you like for the balance of your personal account, and even choose a different mix of investment strategies for your contributions to be invested.
Each investment strategy has its own investment objective which is a guide of how much to invest in the various asset classes to achieve an acceptable risk-return profile, and as a guide to possible future investment outcomes based on the length of time you expect to keep an investment. Knowing your time horizon is extremely important when it comes to choosing the type of investment strategy you wish to invest in.
You can switch investment options once a month by completing and returning the State Super SASS form 409 Choice of Investment Strategy to the State Super Customer Service team. If your form is received by the 25th of the month the switch will take effect from the first day of the following month. Your first switch in a financial year is free and the second or subsequent switches will incur a fee of $25 which will come out of your personal account.
Tip
State Super publish the investment choice crediting rates each month on their website. Go to statesuper.nsw.gov.au/investment/performance
graph
Scroll table horizontally on mobile
Cash
|
Conservative | Balanced | Growth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Volatility
|
Very low
|
Medium
|
Medium to high
|
High
|
| Growth | Limited | Conservative |
Moderate
|
High |
| Risk of negative return | Very low potential for negative return | Potential for negative return 2to less than 3 times in 20 years | Potential for negative return 3 to less than 4 times in 20 years | Potential for negative return 4 to less than 6 times in 20 years |
| Investment time horizon | Designed for members with a short-term investment horizon (up to 3 years) with no tolerance for market volatility |
Designed for members with a short-term investment horizon (4 years) with little tolerance for market volatility and a preference for security | Designed for members with a medium-term investment horizon (5 to 7 years) and some tolerance to market volatility | Designed for members with a long-term investment horizon (7 plus years) and a high tolerance to market volatility |
The investment strategy that’s right for you depends on your personal situation, the level of risk you are prepared to take, your stage in life and retirement goals, and your assets and investments outside of super. It’s important to regularly review your investment choice to make sure:
You are comfortable with the level of risk you are taking
You have chosen the right option to meet the level of returns you are looking for
You have made the right investment choice for your life stage.
An Aware Super financial planner1 can provide you with advice tailored to your personal situation.
1 Advice provided by Aware Financial Services Australia Limited (ABN 86 003 742 756, AFSL 238430), wholly owned by Aware Super.
Our financial planners are experienced in your State Super scheme. They can help you plan for a successful retirement.
Join our experts as they breakdown super and finances into easy-to-understand topics through our live webinar education series.
We're here to help you create your next chapter with confidence and guide you throughout your retirement.
