How to close your account
You can close your account or make withdrawals of $1,000 or more by completing and submitting a Withdrawal form.
We aim to process your application within 10 working days after receiving your form and necessary information, including information from your employer. However, there are circumstances where it may take us longer to process your request.
Action summary
- Time it takes
It may take up to 15 minutes to complete the form - Hardest thing
To organise certified proof of identification - Cost
There’s no cost to close your account - Result
Your account will be closed and you can spend the balance as you need it
What you’ll need
- Certified proof of identification (if we do not already hold valid identification for you)
Need help
- Call us on 13 43 72
1. Download the Withdrawal form
First, click the link to download the Withdrawal form. This form only applies if you have a Retirement Income Pension (including RI Allocated Pension and Transition to Retirement Pension) account. If you have a RI Term Allocated Pension account, call us on 13 43 72 for details.
When you complete your 'Withdrawal' form, you’ll need to complete six sections. You might like to print the form first then use this page as a guide as you complete each section.
2. Provide your personal details
These details include your member number, your Retirement Income Pension account number, name, date of birth and contact details.
You can find your member number and account number on any statement you’ve received from us.
3. Select your withdrawal option
You can use this form to make a full withdrawal if you tick the first option, this effectively closes your account. If you want to make a partial payment only, download the Partial payment form.
4. We'll need your bank account details
For security purposes provide a copy of your bank statement showing your full name, the bank’s name, BSB number and account number. If you are providing an internet bank statement, it must show your bank name and logo. If it doesn't, you must add your signature, printed name and date to the page. Credit card, business or ‘trading as’ accounts, overseas, and third party payments are not allowed.
5. Do you want to roll your money over to another super fund?
You can also use this form if you want your balance rolled over to another complying super fund, which can include your existing GESB Super or West State Super accounts, or a self-managed super fund (SMSF). We may have to make a pro-rata pension payment before processing your roll over request.
If you would like to roll over your benefit into a new GESB Super account, you’ll need to agree to the ‘new GESB Super account’ conditions.
If you want to roll over to more than one fund, you can photocopy this form and complete section 4 for each fund you want to roll in to.
We’ll need the details for your other fund(s) including:
- The fund’s name and address
- Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI)
- Your member number with that fund
If you are rolling your balance over to a self-managed super fund (SMSF), then you’ll need to provide:
- The ABN and fund name
- The contact number
- The Electronic Service Address (ESA) Alias
- The bank details
For your security, you’ll need to provide a copy of the SMFS’s bank statement which includes the bank’s name and logo, the account holders name (the SMSF) and BSB number as well as the account number. If you are providing an internet bank statement, it must show your bank name and logo. If it doesn't, you must add your signature, printed name and date to the page.
You’ll need to complete the relevant boxes on the form to confirm your bank account details.
6. Have you provided certified proof of identity to us?
If you have, and your details have not changed, you don't need to supply new certified proof of identity with this form.
If some of your details have changed, you will need to provide new proof of identity with this form. Find out more about how to provide certified proof of identification.
7. Read the declaration and sign the acknowledgement
You’ll need to read the declaration and confirm that the information provided is correct. You’ll need to have read the Retirement Income Pension Product Information Booklet, and be aware we don’t provide financial advice in relation to your decision.
We will send you confirmation when we’ve completed your instructions. We’ve also provided a checklist so it is easier to see what documents or information you need to provide us.
Find out more about how to provide certified proof of identification.
8. If you have a Transition to Retirement Pension
If you’re under the age of 65, have a Transition to Retirement Pension, met a condition of superannuation release, and want to access your funds, you also need to complete a Notification of retirement or ceasing current employment form. You need to do this to acknowledge that you have met the eligibility criteria for accessing your funds.
9. Send the form in
Now that you’ve completed and signed the 'Withdrawal' form, you need to send your completed form and supporting documentation to:
GESB
PO Box J 755
Perth WA 6842
Australia Post can take up to six business days to deliver regular mail. Please take this into account when submitting your form to us, especially when you need to meet a processing deadline.
We’re here to help
If you have questions about closing your account or need more help with the 'Withdrawal' form, please call us on 13 43 72 between 7.30am and 5.30pm (AWST), Monday to Friday.
Thank you for printing this page. Remember to come back to gesb.wa.gov.au for the latest information as our content is updated regularly. This information is correct as at 29 March 2024.