Frequently Asked Questions

For employers

To support the ongoing partnership with Anglican Super, Mercer Super regularly reviews and benchmarks our member benefits, including the insurance offering within the Anglican Super Plan. 

As part of our recent review, from 1 December 2023, there will be a number of changes to the Death, Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) and Income Protection cover provided to members of the Anglican Super Plan within Mercer Super Trust.

To help answer some of the questions you may have, please refer to the frequently asked questions below.


 

Frequently asked questions

 

Death and Total and Permanent Disability cover

  • Expand all
  • |
  • Collapse all
  • What is changing?

    The way Death and Total & Permanent Disability (TPD) cover is determined will be updated to better align a member’s insurance cover to their age and estimated insurance needs, rather than only considering a salary-based formula. This new design is called ‘Lifestage Death and TPD’.

    Within ‘Lifestage Death and TPD’, TPD cover is higher than the amount of death cover until age 35, then equal amounts of Death and TPD cover are provided from age 36 until benefit expiry. This means, from 1 December 2023, some members will receive an increase to their amount of TPD cover.

    Importantly, no members will have less cover as a result of the change to the Lifestage design. There will be changes to insurance premiums.

  • Who is impacted?

    All members of the Anglican Super Plan are impacted by these changes to insurances from 1 December 2023 – with the exception of Family Members who retain their current insurance design.

  • Why are we changing the benefit design for Death and TPD?

    Being told you are unlikely to ever return to work would be a devastating prognosis, especially if you are a younger member in your 20s or 30s starting your working career.  TPD is designed to provide a lump-sum amount to members where they are disabled due to sickness or injury and are unlikely to ever return to work.

    TPD insurance needs are usually higher for younger members, as the impact of permanent disablement causing them to be unable to ever work again may be more significant than older members. The new design accounts for this by providing a higher amount of TPD cover early in life.

    Conversely, as members near retirement age, they may have accumulated a larger asset base over their lifetime, have fewer financial dependents, and may therefore have a reducing need for Death and TPD cover.

  • What changes come into effect on 1 December 2023?

    • TPD definition is updated to align with improved industry standards
    • For all members up until age 67 the TPD definition that applies to their claim assessment is based on their employment status and not the number of hours worked each week
    • Terminal Illness certification period extended to 24 months
    • New Life events cover to allow members to increase insurance without underwriting
    • Improved overseas cover provisions
    • Cover for a longer period when a member is on leave without pay
    • Death, TPD and Income Protection premiums waived if you are totally or partially disabled when on income protection claim.
       

    These changes are not retrospective and will apply where the claimable event occurs on or after 1 December 2023.

    All members continue to have full control on increasing (subject to underwriting and insurer approval) or decreasing levels of cover to suit their personal situation.

 

For members with Income Protection

 

  • Expand all
  • |
  • Collapse all
  • What is changing for Income Protection?

    There is no change to the way Income Protection is determined.

    The benefit design for Income Protection cover is to remain unchanged and continues to be a modern and contemporary design.

    Members will have a decrease in their Income Protection premiums. 

  • What are the key benefit changes?

    From 1 December 2023, key benefit changes include:
    • Total & Partial Disability definitions have been improved  
    • Extending the waiving of all premiums (including Death & TPD) whilst you are either partially or total disability
    • An increase in the maximum income protection monthly benefit available with Interim Accidental Cover
    • A new Death benefit is being introduced if your death occurs whilst on Income Protection claim
  • What do I need to do as the employer?

    There is no action required by you as the employer. The changes will be managed by Mercer Super and communicated directly with members.

  • Will you keep employers informed?

    Mercer Super and Anglican Super will be in touch with employers shortly after 1 December 2023 with updated disclosure documents and Benefits of Membership flyers for your employee on-boarding processes.

  • What communications will my employees receive?

    For those employees who are members of Anglican Super, Mercer Super will be sending formal confirmation of the changes via an ‘Important Notice’ communication on 30 October 2023.

    In addition, Mercer Super will also host a number of virtual information sessions for members in the lead up to 1 December 2023 to provide further information and answer any questions. Members will receive invitations to attend these sessions.

    There are also a number of helpful resources on the Anglican Super website including six education modules to help members navigate insurance and equip them with knowledge to make the right choices and take comfort in the enhancements.

  • How do I respond to employee queries?

    Remember, the changes only impact those employees who are members of Anglican Super.

    Employees can view their insurance cover via logging on to their online account at mercersuper.com.au, and can contact the Mercer Contact Centre number for further assistance – 1800 682 525.

Further information

Icon of a Helpline customer service headphone and microphone

If you require further information please contact Mercer Super on 1800 682 525, Monday to Friday 8am–7pm (AEST/AEDT).

 

 

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website has been prepared by Mercer Outsourcing (Australia) Pty Ltd (MOAPL) ABN 83 068 908 912, Australian Financial Services Licence #411980. Anglican Super is a plan in Mercer Super Trust ABN 19 905 422 981 Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited (MSAL) ABN 79 004 717 533, Australian Financial Services Licence #235906 is the trustee of the Mercer Super Trust. Mercer financial advisers are authorised representatives of Mercer Financial Advice (Australia) Pty Ltd (MFAAPL) ABN 76 153 168 293, Australian Financial Services Licence #411766. 'MERCER' is a registered trademark of Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 32 005 315 917. The products Target Market Determination can be found here.