FAQs

For us, and other funds that unitise their investments, the risk of unit pricing errors is one of our most significant operational risks. We have robust processes in place to keep any risk of pricing errors to a minimum.

Yes. As unit prices change daily, you can see the unit price history of your investment plan, or any of our other plans, on our unit price page. You can also call us on 13 43 72 for unit pricing information or find step-by-step instructions on

We use unit prices to value your investment in GESB Super, West State Super, RI Allocated Pension, Transition to Retirement Pension and RI Term Allocated Pension. You can search for unit prices dating back to 1 July 2001 or when your investment plan was introduced.

If you’re talking to an adviser,...

You can choose to change or ‘switch’ the investment plan for your GESB Super, West State Super or Retirement Income account at any time. To do this, you can either:

• Submit an investment plan change through Member Online
• Complete and send...

Yes - you can view or download our full stock holdings for each asset class in our investment plans. This information is updated every six months.

Investing in equities provides investors with ownership and, in most cases, voting rights. We request our external investment managers to vote on resolutions applicable to the securities they manage on our behalf, in line with our goals and responsibilities. Our investment managers engage with company management on a range...

We report on plan performance for the past month, one year, three years, five years and 10 years.

As the Sustainable Balanced plan was launched on 27 September 2023, there is not enough data available to provide historical performance for the required reporting periods.

Once we have received the data for the...

Within the Alternatives asset class, the Sustainable Balanced plan invests in listed infrastructure securities with an emphasis on operating infrastructure assets in wind and solar alongside exposure to other diversifying sectors.

For details about the Sustainable Balanced plan criteria, read the Investment choice brochure (for GESB Super or West State...

The investments within each asset class are assessed or selected based on different criteria. In general, the ESG criteria set by Pendal covers issues such as environmental management, social practices, corporate governance and ethical practices.

You can find some examples in our Sustainable Balanced plan article.

Details can be found in...

We consider climate-related risk as part of the environment component of ESG, so it’s integrated into our overall ESG and responsible investment policy.

We are committed to transitioning the portfolio towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050, which is consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement and in line...

Yes, our Sustainable Balanced investment plan has been available for GESB Super, West State Super and Retirement Income Allocated Pension members since 27 September 2023.

At GESB, we believe it’s important to consider and manage environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk across all investments. For this reason, we integrate ESG into...

We believe effective stewardship can play a role in improving investee companies’ ESG practices as well as enhancing the long-term risk-adjusted returns of investments. Voting and engagement are important avenues to influence companies in which we invest.

Engagement seeks to have a positive influence on outcomes, rather than merely avoiding investments...

A fossil fuel exclusion is applied to the Sustainable Balanced plan, with varying definitions and revenue thresholds adopted across asset classes.

For example, within the Australian Shares asset class for the Sustainable Balanced plan, the portfolio does not invest in companies which directly extract or explore fossil fuels (i.e, coal, oil...

GESB incorporates ESG considerations throughout the investment process, starting with setting the investment strategy through to engaging with investee companies and proxy voting.

For the Sustainable Balanced plan, Pendal is the investment manager. Pendal’s integration of ESG considerations is an extension of our approach to responsible investing. When determining the...

Yes – we exclude direct investments in tobacco companies, controversial weapons and nuclear weapons (including shares and bonds). For further details, see our ESG and Responsible Investment Policy.

GESB will generally only consider excluding a particular company or industry where it is unlikely to impede the long-term risk and return...

We believe that taking ESG risks into account during the investment process can improve returns and reduce risk for our members over the long term. Here’s how we do this:

• Investment strategyWe carry out annual scenario analysis to help understand and assess the potential impact that adverse climate change scenarios could...

There are several differences between the Sustainable Balanced plan and GESB’s balanced options, namely My West State Super and GESB Super Balanced plans.

The Sustainable Balanced plan has a higher risk level than our balanced plans, with a more growth-orientated mix of investments. However, it remains within the SuperRatings defined range...

Salary sacrifice is an agreement between you and your employer where you agree to ‘sacrifice’ part of your future before-tax salary. The amount you sacrifice can be paid into your super account by your employer (rather than taking it as salary).

You can salary sacrifice to your GESB Super or West...

Here are some reasons you might decide to salary sacrifice:

• You’ll pay less income tax
Your taxable income is reduced by the amount you salary sacrifice, which means you could pay less income tax.
• There could be other tax benefits
Super is generally taxed¹ at what’s known as a concessional rate...

Salary sacrifice is a great way to boost your super, but there are some circumstances where it might not be the right choice for you.

Here’s where salary sacrifice could be a disadvantage:

• Your overall tax may not reduce significantly if your taxable income is less than $90,000 and you access your...

You can only salary sacrifice into your GESB Super or West State Super account if you are currently employed in the WA public sector.

Salary sacrifice contributions are a simple way to grow your super. You can contribute to your GESB Super or West State Super account through your payroll if you’re currently working in the WA public sector.

If you’re a Gold State Super member and you would like to make salary sacrifice contributions...

An after-tax personal contribution is one you make yourself, separate to the 11% Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions your employer pays into your super account.

You can make after-tax personal contributions by:

• Adding to your super from your take-home salary
• Using lump-sum amounts such as inheritance, lottery winnings or money from selling an asset

Making...

Making an after-tax contribution to your super could help you:

• Increase your super balance - rather than relying on the amount your employer contributes, adding to your balance can lead to more money in your super when you retire, depending on market changes, which can impact your balance before and at...

If you have a GESB Super, West State Super or Gold State Super account, you can make after-tax contributions. You don’t have to be currently employed in the WA public sector.

If you only have a Gold State Super or Gold State Super deferred account with us, we will automatically open...

To arrange either before-tax (salary sacrifice) contributions or after-tax contributions to your super through your employer's payroll department, here's what to do.

• Time it takes Approximately 15 minutes to complete the form
• Cost No set up fee
• Result You’ll help grow your super, which means you...

There are three ways you can make an after-tax personal contribution to your super:

• BPAY®
• Through your employer
• Cheque or money order

Please note: we are required to send you confirmation every time you make a contribution using BPAY.

Here are the steps you need to make your...

You can add to your super when you can afford to commit to a regular contribution, or whenever you have a one-off lump sum that you'd like to put into super. It’s worth knowing:

• The earlier you start contributing, the more chance your super has to grow
• There are no extra fees...

Spouse contributions allow you to grow your joint savings for retirement, and in most cases, receive a number of tax benefits.

A spouse, for these purposes, is your husband, wife or de facto partner (of any gender) who lives permanently with you on a bona fide domestic basis, at the time...