The CSS is part defined benefit and part accumulation. The defined benefit part is generally made up of a CPI-indexed pension financed by your employer. Your contributions and your employer’s (productivity) contributions, including Fund earnings, make up the accumulation part.

The CSS rewards your contribution to the Australian community with:

• employer contributions that are significantly higher than the minimum 9% Super Guarantee.
• no administration fees (your employer pays these).
• automatic and comprehensive death and invalidity cover (at no extra cost to you).
• several retirement options, including a CPI-indexed pension for life and a lump sum that can be converted to a pension.

Your rate of contribution determines the size of your lump-sum benefit

As a part accumulation scheme, the amount you choose to contribute is important because it determines the size of your final lump-sum benefit. That’s why you should fully explore the affect changing your rate of contribution will have on your final benefit.

Your final benefit is made up of:

* Earnings can be positive or negative, depending on Fund performance.

To find out more about how the CSS works, download the CSS Quick Guide.

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