FAQs

The WA Public Sector Pension Scheme was the WA Government’s original super scheme, and has been closed to new members since 15 August 1986.

This is an untaxed defined benefit pension scheme, which provides a lifetime indexed pension for retired members and their spouses.

For more information about your WA Public Sector...

Each of our schemes has its own Australian Business Number (ABN). While you may not need this number most of the time, when you access your super information through the myGov website, your super will be listed with the relevant ABN and scheme...

Generally, you can only access your super once you’ve reached Commonwealth preservation age and you’ve retired or met another condition of release. However, there are limited circumstances where you may be allowed to access your super earlier, such as in severe financial hardship or...

Currently, you can only have employer contributions paid into your GESB account by a WA public sector employer. This means you’ll need to have your new contributions made to another super fund. However, we’re working on making changes so that in the future you can keep your private sector contributions...

If you entered Australia on an eligible temporary work visa that has ceased to be in effect (for example, it has expired or been cancelled and you’re leaving permanently), you could access your super benefits. This payment is known as a departing...

There are rules about when you can access your super money, as set by the Australian Government.

To get your super, you need to have reached what’s known as your Commonwealth preservation age.

Use our preservation age calculator to figure out your preservation age.

Your preservation age depends on...

Your super is designed to help you save for retirement and has tax benefits, so there are rules about when you can access the money.

Your 'Commonwealth preservation age' is the minimum age you can access your super. Until you reach this age and have retired, you can’t access your super...

Once you've decided when to retire, you also need to choose how you want to take your super money.

How you choose to take your super will depend on whether you're likely to return to work, whether you'd like a regular income from your super and if you'd like to make...

A Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI) is a number used to identify a super fund or scheme, which is used for electronic rollovers and contributions.

If you’re planning to transfer your super to another fund, you will need the relevant USI for your super account, which is listed below.

GESB...

A Superannuation Product Identifier Number (SPIN) is a number that was previously used to identify a super fund or scheme. The SPIN was replaced by the Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI) as part of Australian Government’s Stronger Super reform in July 2014.

Our Retirement Income Pension can be taken as either:

• An RI Allocated Pension - a standard allocated pension product
• A Transition to Retirement Pension - a transition to retirement income stream that allows you to access your super as an income stream while you’re still working

Here’s a summary of the...

Once you have reached your Commonwealth preservation age, Transition to Retirement (or phased retirement) allows you to turn your super into a non-commutable income stream, without having to retire or reduce your hours of work.

You can then use this regular income to work less...

Once you reach your Commonwealth preservation age, you can use your super money to start a transition to retirement strategy.

Your...

If you’ve explored your options and decided that transition to retirement is right for you, here are the steps you need to take to open an account.

We aim to process your application within 10 working days of receiving your form and all the necessary details, including information from your employer....

A non-commutable income stream means you receive a regular income from your super but can’t make lump-sum withdrawals.

Once you have met a condition of release (either permanently retiring or reaching age 65), your maximum pension amount restriction is lifted and you can:

• Continue to receive the income stream
• Withdraw a lump sum
• Roll it back into super

Important note: you need to provide written...

With a transition to retirement strategy, you can access your super as regular income while you’re still working.

Once you’ve reached your Commonwealth preservation age, you can use your super to start a regular pension, such as our Transition to Retirement Pension. This type of pension is known...

With a transition to retirement strategy, you can access your super as regular income while you’re still working.

Once you’ve reached your Commonwealth preservation age, you can use your super to start a regular pension, such as our Transition to Retirement Pension. This type of pension is known...

With a transition to retirement strategy, you can receive a regular income from your super while you’re still working.

Once you’ve turned 55, you can access your super to start a regular pension, such as our Transition to Retirement Pension. This type of pension is known as a ‘non-commutable income stream’...

No, you can keep working full time and access your super benefit. If you want to reduce your working hours you will need to discuss this with your employer.

The maximum you can withdraw from your pension is 10% of your account balance, calculated when you first open your account and on 1 July of each year after that. This amount is not pro rata.

When you’re working out how much super you might need when you retire, you might want to think about:

• How your lifestyle and annual expenses will change
• Other income you may receive
• Your partner's income
• The age you will retire
• How long you want your money to last

Try our online tool to help estimate how...

Centrelink’s ‘Details of income stream product’ form (SA330) is used by Centrelink to calculate your eligibility to receive a payment. You may be asked to provide this form when applying for a government pension or providing information on your income.

GESB is...

RI Allocated Pension allows you to invest your super as a lump sum and receive a regular income stream.

You can transfer your super to a RI Allocated Pension and it will be invested in the plan of your choice. You draw regular pension payments, and are able to withdraw lump...

In most cases, you can open an RI Allocated Pension account if:

• You are eligible for an immediate payment of a benefit from your super. You can generally access your super if you meet a condition of release - e.g. you are retiring permanently and have reached your Commonwealth preservation age¹
• You...

Each time you receive a regular payment or a one-off lump sum withdrawal from your RI Allocated Pension account, your balance will be reduced.

You will keep receiving payments until there is no money left in your account. How long this income will last depends on:

• How much you initially invest
• The ...

When you open an account, you choose which eligible bank account your payments will be made into. Your payments will be fast, safe, automatic and convenient.

Please note, your payments must be made into an account in your name, but cannot be made into a credit card or overseas account.

You can choose to have your pension payments made monthly, quarterly or annually. You can change your payment frequency at any time. Pensions are paid on, or before, the 15^th day of the month.

If you’ve explored your options and decided that an allocated pension is best for your situation, here you’ll find the steps you need to take to open an account.

We aim to process your application for an account within 10 working days of receiving your form and all the necessary details,...

If you have retired and opened an RI Allocated Pension account, you can make lump-sum withdrawals from your account.

To make a lump-sum withdrawal, you need to:

• Complete and submit a Partial payment form
• Withdraw at least $1,000
• Keep a balance of at least $1,000 to keep your account open. If you...